Pakistan could build USD 1 Bn fruit and vegetable export industry in three years, SE Fruits CFO says

Pakistan has the potential to build a USD 1 billion annual fruit, vegetable and value-added export industry within two to three years. Rai Omar, Chief Financial Officer of SE Fruits & Vegetables Limited, said this depends on improving export conversion, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening cold-chain infrastructure.

How could Pakistan reach a USD 1 billion fruit and vegetable export target?

Pakistan would need to convert more of its existing agricultural output into exports rather than expand production itself. Omar said the country already has a strong agricultural base, and the real opportunity lies in reducing losses and capturing greater value from each ton harvested. Better sorting, packaging, cold-chain infrastructure and market access are central to closing that gap.

SE Fruits & Vegetables is an established exporter with nearly three decades of experience and access to more than 22 international markets. The company is preparing for a proposed Initial Public Offering on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

How much does Pakistan currently export in fruits and vegetables?

Pakistan exported approximately USD 471 million worth of fresh fruits and vegetables in FY2026, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data. This included around USD 308 million of fruits and USD 163 million of vegetables. The USD 1 billion target sits below a broader industry roadmap announced in December 2025 by the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters and Merchants Association and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, which envisions raising exports to USD 2 billion within three years.

Which crops offer the biggest opportunity for Pakistan's exports?

Kinnow, mangoes and potatoes represent Pakistan's most significant horticulture opportunity. The combined global market for oranges, mangoes and potatoes is estimated at approximately USD 236 billion, with the orange market alone valued at around USD 48.4 billion in 2024. The mango market was estimated at approximately USD 67.9 billion and the potato market at around USD 120 billion, meaning Pakistan would still capture less than 0.5% of this combined opportunity even at USD 1 billion in exports.

Pakistan produces approximately 2.1 million tons of kinnow and more than 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually. Potato production rose to approximately 12 million tons in FY2026. However, only a small share of this production reaches international markets, and post-harvest losses across the supply chain are estimated at 30% to 40%.

What challenges limit Pakistan's export conversion?

Export conversion, rather than agricultural production, represents the primary constraint according to Omar. He pointed to sorting and grading, packaging, cold-chain infrastructure, phytosanitary compliance and buyer connectivity as key areas needing improvement. Working-capital availability also matters, since exporters need to procure quality produce and offer competitive credit terms to overseas customers.

Countries including South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Türkiye have shown that stronger supporting infrastructure and market linkages can convert a significantly higher share of agricultural production into exports.

What is SE Fruits & Vegetables' own export growth plan?

SE Fruits & Vegetables has identified demand across 23 countries for mangoes, kinnow and potatoes, totaling approximately 5.89 million tons annually. This includes around 548,000 tons of mangoes, 2.37 million tons of kinnow and 2.97 million tons of potatoes. The company exported approximately 5,115 tons in FY2026, including 3,600 tons of kinnow and 1,515 tons of mangoes.

SE is targeting exports of approximately 30,327 tons in FY2027 and 35,953 tons in FY2028. Even after this projected increase, the company would remain a relatively small participant in Pakistan's overall export pool, pointing to considerable room for further growth.

The company has historically served around 50 international customers, though only about 15 were serviced recently, leaving room to reactivate its network in Central Asia and the Far East. Inquiries and letters of intent from a small group of customers represent approximately 65,150 tons of potential demand, more than twice SE's projected FY2027 export volume.

SE's kinnow processing platform was utilized at approximately 32%, with utilization expected to reach around 59% by FY2027 and 61% by 2028. The company is also evaluating additional export markets, new product categories and earlier-season varieties to extend its operating cycle, with Central Asia seen as an attractive winter corridor for kinnow exports.

"Pakistan does not need to dominate international trade to build a USD 1 billion fruit, vegetable and value-added export industry," Omar said. "The production is available, international demand exists and there is considerable scope to convert a much larger share of Pakistan's agricultural output into exports."