Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) organized a webinar titled “The New Frontier: Navigating Post-War Horticulture Opportunities in the GCC”
On Thursday, April 02, 2026. The session provided strategic direction to exporters, growers, and other stakeholders on emerging trade opportunities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region amid evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics.
The GCC region has long served as a key destination for Pakistan’s horticultural exports, including citrus, mangoes, potatoes, onions, and dates. In recent years, shifting geopolitical conditions and post-war economic adjustments have created new demand patterns, supply gaps, and increased import dependencies, particularly for fresh and processed food commodities.
The webinar featured insightful presentations by Mr. Aamer Hayat Bhandara, Co-Founder of Agriculture Republic, and Dr. Waqar Ahmad, Horticulture Subject Specialist. Mr. Aamer Hayat Bhandara highlighted that post-war scenarios have increased GCC reliance on imported horticultural products due to limited domestic production caused by climatic constraints. Pakistan holds a strong competitive advantage through its geographic proximity, seasonal availability, and diverse crop base. He noted that GCC buyers are increasingly prioritizing consistency, traceability, and reliable supply, which creates opportunities for Pakistani exporters who can meet these standards.
Dr. Waqar Ahmad emphasized that export competitiveness now depends less on production volume and more on meeting stringent international requirements. He pointed out the emergence of new competitors such as Turkey, and Sudan, which are capitalizing on the current situation due to favorable geopolitical positioning and could continue posing challenges even after conditions normalize. He stressed critical aspects including compliance with SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) measures, adoption of Global GAP and food safety certifications, improved grading, sorting, and standardized packaging, maintenance of the cold chain to preserve shelf life, and the use of robust market intelligence for planning and prioritizing supplies. Quality assurance, branding, and value addition were described as essential for sustaining and expanding Pakistan’s presence in these markets.
Participants underscored the importance of efficient logistics, reduced transit times, and proper handling practices to maintain product quality. There is also growing demand for value-added horticultural items such as processed, dehydrated, and ready-to-consume products, which offer higher margins and stronger market positioning. Mr. Waqar specifically informed the audience that while best practices globally require around 2,500 Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) units for efficient preservation and export of perishable items, Pakistan currently operates with only about 10 IQF units, highlighting the urgent need for expanded cold chain infrastructure and advanced grading systems to reduce post-harvest losses and meet GCC quality expectations.
The CEO of PHDEC, Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, shared an overview of trade statistics, reiterating that the GCC represents a multi-billion-dollar import market for fresh fruits, vegetables, and processed food products, yet Pakistan’s current share falls well short of its true potential. He called for simultaneous enhancement of export volumes alongside improvements in quality, compliance, and value addition to compete effectively with regional and international suppliers. Mr. Athar reaffirmed PHDEC’s commitment to supporting exporters through capacity building, certification programs, and market linkage activities, including B2B engagements and trade missions.
The Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are actively supporting these efforts, particularly during the current crisis period. Regular meetings between importers and exporters are being organized, along with trade missions to GCC countries, to strengthen business ties and help Pakistani stakeholders navigate supply gaps and capitalize on new demand.
Mr. AslamPakhali, a leading exporter of fruits and vegetables, drew attention to practical logistical challenges, including the suspension of feeder services by international shipping lines. He urged government intervention, particularly through the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), to arrange dedicated cargo vessels and feeder services—similar to those provided for other commodities—to facilitate timely exports of items such as potatoes and onions.
The webinar concluded with strong interest from participants and a collective commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s horticultural exports. Stakeholders resolved to adopt a market-driven approach, focusing on quality enhancement, modern infrastructure development (including cold chain and IQF facilities), branding, packaging improvements, and strategic alignment with GCC demands. Through these coordinated efforts, Pakistan aims to significantly increase its market share in the GCC and contribute to broader national goals for horticulture export growth.
