Over 50 Pakistani companies showcase food, agro products at Germany trade fair

Over 50 Pakistani companies showcase food, agro products at Germany trade fair
The undated file photo shows stalls from food companies from across the globe at ANUGA trade fair. (ANUGA/ website)
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Updated 05 October 2025
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Over 50 Pakistani companies showcase food, agro products at Germany trade fair

Over 50 Pakistani companies showcase food, agro products at Germany trade fair
  • The ANUGA 2025 trade fair has brought together 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries, according to the organizers
  • Pakistan Pavilion showcases rice, processed foods, pink salt, fruit juices and other value-added agro products

ISLAMABAD: More than 50 Pakistani companies are showcasing a diverse range of food and agro products at ANUGA 2025 trade fair in Germany, a Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) official said on Sunday, reflecting Pakistan’s growing potential in the global food market.

ANUGA 2025, touted as the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverage industry, is being held in Cologne from Oct. 4 till Oct. 8, bringing together around 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries.

The fair is expected to be attended by 140,000 visitors from nearly 200 nations and present an opportunity for manufacturers to market their products to regions around the globe.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has set up Pakistan Pavilion at the fair that is designed to highlight the country’s rich agricultural heritage, showcasing advancements in food processing and its adherence to global standards.

“The pavilion highlights Pakistan’s diverse offerings, including rice, processed foods, pink salt, fruit juices, and other value-added agro products,” Hina Tahir, a deputy director at TDAP, told Arab News.

Pakistan’s agro and food exports have shown growth in recent years, rising by 1.62 percent to $5.75 billion during the first nine months of FY 2024–25 (July–March), up from $5.66 billion a year earlier, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). In the 2023–24 financial year, the country achieved a historic milestone as agro exports reached $8 billion, marking a 37 percent increase over the previous year’s $5.8 billion.

ANUGA 2025 serves as an unparalleled platform for Pakistani exporters to engage in direct business matchmaking with international buyers, explore new market opportunities, and strengthen Pakistan’s footprint in the global food supply chain, according to the official.

Out of a total of 54 Pakistani firms, 34 companies are exhibiting products at Pakistan Pavilion, while the remaining are participating in the exhibition in their private capacity. Pakistani exhibitors are taking part in pre-arranged business matchmaking sessions with international buyers, attending sector-focused networking events, and pursuing partnership opportunities across Europe, the Middle East and other global markets.

“This integrated strategy seeks to draw foreign investment, foster bilateral trade partnerships, and position Pakistan as a competitive supplier and a growing hub for regional agro-business cooperation,” she said.

In addition to exhibiting export-ready products, Tahir said, the TDAP also plans to use the ANUGA 2025 platform to promote Pakistan’s International Food and Agriculture Exhibition (FoodAg) 2025, scheduled to be held in Karachi on Nov. 25-27.


Pakistan minister voices optimism ahead of Istanbul talks with Kabul over militancy

Pakistan minister voices optimism ahead of Istanbul talks with Kabul over militancy
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Pakistan minister voices optimism ahead of Istanbul talks with Kabul over militancy

Pakistan minister voices optimism ahead of Istanbul talks with Kabul over militancy
  • Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been high in recent months following an uptick in attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces
  • The two countries engaged in fierce fighting last month and are due to meet in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to firm up a ceasefire reached in Doha

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister on Tuesday expressed optimism ahead of talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul that the two neighbors could work together to address cross-border militancy and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been high in recent months following an uptick in attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces that border Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the use of their soil for these attacks, an allegation Kabul denies.

The two countries engaged in fierce fighting last month after Pakistan hit what it called TTP-affiliated targets in Afghanistan. Both sides reached a ceasefire in Doha on Oct. 19 and are due to meet in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to finalize a mechanism to keep militancy along their 2,600-kilometer border in check.

Addressing the upper house of parliament, FM Ishaq Dar said he “received six calls” from his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday and told him that he supported Afghanistan as a neighboring Muslim country, but the rise in cross-border militancy had left him in a difficult position.

“I am among those who want to move forward positively with Afghanistan, Iran and all our neighboring countries. This is my responsibility on behalf of Pakistan,” Dar said, briefing Senate members about Pakistan’s talks with Afghanistan.

“My wish and prayer is that these matters be resolved and that we help one another.”

The TTP is responsible for some of the bloodiest attacks in Pakistan, including on churches, schools and the shooting of Malala Yousafzai, who survived the 2012 attack after she was targeted for her campaign against the Taliban’s efforts to deny women education. The group has stepped up its attacks against Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies in recent years.

Pakistani forces were able to effectively dismantle the TTP and kill most of its top leaders in a string of military operations from 2014 onwards in the country’s northwestern tribal areas, driving most of the fighters into neighboring Afghanistan.

Without naming anyone, Dar blamed the former government of Prime Minister Imran Khan for holding talks with the TTP and providing space to its fighters to regroup in the region.

“That was the biggest mistake. I am not against any person or any government, but this is a fact,” he said. “We must pull ourselves together so that such mistakes are not repeated, whether it’s our government or any other.”