Pak-China update: Pakistan targets 10,000 tonnes sesame exports to China in 2025 | The Express Tribune

Pakistan is working to achieve an export target of 10,000 metric tonnes of sesame seeds to China in 2025 under agricultural cooperation initiatives linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Officials and industry representatives say the effort is supported by contract farming projects, technology transfer, and infrastructure improvements being carried out with Chinese assistance.

China Machinery Engineering Corporation has expanded sesame farming to about 5,000 acres in Pakistan. The company has introduced modern farming practices, provided training to farmers, and implemented quality standards to ensure consistency in output. This collaboration is intended to strengthen the sesame supply chain and prepare farmers to meet the growing demand from Chinese buyers.

Pakistan’s sesame exports to China have shown rapid growth in recent years. In 2024, the trade was valued at around 226 million US dollars. Officials forecast that exports could continue to rise sharply in the coming years as Chinese demand for sesame products, including cooking oil and health foods, remains strong. Some estimates suggest Pakistan’s overall agricultural exports to China could reach more than 20 billion US dollars in the long term if cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand.

Read: Sesame seed exports to China hit $49 million

Analysts say contract farming offers farmers greater stability by ensuring access to buyers and guidance on cultivation practices. Research institutions in both countries have tested sesame varieties suited to local soil and climate conditions. Improved seeds, use of fertilizers, and pest management are being emphasized as key elements for enhancing yield and maintaining export quality.

At the same time, challenges remain. Extreme weather events and floods may disrupt planting or reduce output in some areas. There are also concerns about whether all farmers will be able to adopt modern practices quickly. Meeting the quality and phytosanitary standards required for Chinese markets is considered essential to sustaining the trade relationship.

China’s demand for sesame is significant, with imports exceeding one million metric tonnes annually. Pakistan, due to its geographical proximity and expanding production base, is positioning itself as a reliable supplier. Achieving the 2025 target of 10,000 metric tonnes would represent an important step in strengthening bilateral trade ties and improving farmer incomes. Officials believe the initiative highlights the broader potential of CPEC-driven agricultural cooperation for Pakistan’s economy.

Read More: Sesame seed exports to China surge 180%

Pakistan’s agricultural exports to China have been on the rise lately. Rice exports to China recorded robust growth in the first eight months of 2025, rising around 70% year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.

From January to August, Pakistan exported rice worth $44.31 million to China, compared with $26.30 million during the same period of last year, marking a 68.5% increase.

An official of Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce said that a significant contributor to this increase was semi- or wholly milled rice (HS code 10063020), which fetched $33.67 million in 2025, compared with just $5.63 million in the corresponding period of 2024. Broken rice exports also performed strongly, rising to $7.71 million.

Analysts note that the growing demand for Pakistani rice reflects its strong competitiveness in terms of quality, taste and pricing. Enhanced facilitation under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and closer collaboration between exporters and importers have further accelerated the momentum.

However, Dynamic Engineering & Automation Founder and Chief Executive Owais Mir told China Economic Net that recent floods had caused significant damage to agriculture, which could negatively affect export volumes in the coming months.