Pakistan Wants to Double Farm Exports With Gwadar Trade Hub

Pakistan plans to double its agricultural exports to China and Gulf countries by 2035 under the newly launched Pakistan Climate Prosperity Plan, which aims to combine climate resilience with export-led growth and green infrastructure development.

According to an official document, the strategy integrates climate adaptation measures with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework by upgrading highways, ports, and energy transmission systems to withstand environmental pressures and climate-related disruptions.

A key component of the plan is the development of Pakistan’s first agricultural trade hub at Gwadar Port to improve access to regional markets through CPEC connectivity. The hub is expected to strengthen cold chain logistics and support the transport of agricultural products to export destinations more efficiently.

The government also plans to convert existing special economic zones into green economic zones by introducing clean energy systems and circular economy practices. The move is aimed at aligning Pakistani exports with international environmental standards while improving global competitiveness.

Under the plan, Pakistan aims to reduce post-harvest losses for wheat, cotton, and rice by 20 percent by 2028. Water consumption in agriculture is also targeted to decline by 20 percent by 2030 through efficient irrigation systems, water pricing reforms, intercropping, and precision farming techniques.

Additional targets include expanding agroforestry initiatives to 50,000 hectares by 2030, transporting 50 percent of perishable exports through modern cold chain networks by 2035, and introducing rootstock innovation for critical horticulture crops by 2028.

The plan further proposes the use of blue carbon initiatives to generate revenue through fisheries conservation efforts, while 30 percent of agricultural subsidies are expected to be optimized to improve efficiency and support climate aligned farming practices.