Pakistan and the Philippines are actively pursuing expanded rice trade cooperation, following direct instructions from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to prioritize key export markets for Pakistan’s surplus rice stocks.
Meeting Between Key Officials On January 23, 2026, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan, in Islamabad. The discussions centered on enhancing Pakistan’s rice exports to the Philippine market, with the minister conveying the Prime Minister’s keen interest in identifying priority destinations and formally requesting increased procurement from the Philippines.
Pakistan’s Export Pitch Minister Jam Kamal highlighted Pakistan’s advantages, including surplus rice availability, consistent high quality, and a government-backed mechanism to ensure price competitiveness amid global market challenges and intensified competition. He emphasized that the Philippines has been identified as a strategic partner for boosted rice exports through stronger institutional engagement.
Philippine Ambassador’s Response Ambassador Fernandez welcomed the initiative, acknowledging Pakistan’s status as one of the top three rice suppliers to the Philippines. He expressed optimism about Pakistan’s potential to gain greater market share, particularly if competitive pricing is maintained.
Upcoming Joint Economic Commission Session Both sides agreed that rice trade would be a top priority during the forthcoming Pakistan-Philippines Joint Economic Commission (JEC) session scheduled for February 2026. This platform will facilitate deeper discussions on trade barriers and opportunities.
Draft MoU on Government-to-Government Procurement The meeting reviewed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and the Philippines’ Ministry of Agriculture. The proposed MoU focuses on multi-year government-to-government rice procurement to help manage Pakistan’s surplus stocks effectively. Technical teams from both countries are coordinating, with a Pakistani delegation planned to visit the Philippines ahead of upcoming tenders to finalize details. Tariff structures and cost competitiveness were also addressed to enable smoother and larger-scale exports.
Broader Agricultural Trade Opportunities The talks extended to potential expansion of Pakistan’s kinnow (citrus) exports to the Philippines, with a request for tariff reviews through institutional channels like the JEC.
Commitment to Stronger Ties Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to close coordination to strengthen bilateral trade in priority agricultural commodities, building on existing relations and aiming for mutually beneficial outcomes in food security and economic cooperation.
This development aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to diversify and increase rice exports through targeted government-to-government arrangements in key markets.