Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral agricultural trade with Pakistan by completing the technical and phytosanitary requirements necessary for the export of fresh Sri Lankan pineapples to the Pakistani market.

Following several years of sustained technical discussions and regulatory engagement, the Governments of Sri Lanka and Pakistan have finalized the phytosanitary import conditions, paving the way for the entry of fresh Sri Lankan pineapples into Pakistan.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Karachi in close collaboration with the National Plant Quarantine Service of Sri Lanka and the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Pakistan, with the support of the Department of Commerce, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).

During the recent visit of a Pakistani business delegation to Sri Lanka, the Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development instructed the relevant authorities to expedite market access for Sri Lankan pineapples, avocados, and king coconuts. As a result, priority attention was given to facilitating pineapple exports, while discussions on securing market access for avocados, king coconuts, and other agricultural products will continue between the relevant authorities of the two countries.

As part of the market access process, the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Pakistan dispatched a technical expert to Sri Lanka in July 2026 to inspect pineapple production areas and plant quarantine systems. Following the successful completion of the inspection, the NPPO finalized the phytosanitary import requirements and export facilitation guidelines, enabling Sri Lankan exporters to access the Pakistani market.

The initiative also received valuable support from the All Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) and the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo, whose cooperation played an important role in facilitating this bilateral trade initiative.

Pakistan represents a promising market for Sri Lankan fresh fruits, particularly premium-quality pineapples. With growing consumer demand for tropical fruits, Sri Lanka expects commercial exports to commence in the near future, creating new opportunities for growers, exporters, and traders in both countries.

This achievement marks another important milestone in strengthening agricultural cooperation and bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It also contributes to the diversification of export markets for Sri Lankan agricultural products while providing Pakistani consumers with greater access to high-quality tropical produce.

On 31 July 2026, the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, held a virtual meeting with the Department of Commerce's Commercial Officers serving at Sri Lanka's Foreign Missions abroad to review ongoing activities and discuss strategic priorities for further strengthening the promotion of Sri Lanka's trade, investment, tourism, and skilled employment opportunities in support of the Government's economic development agenda.

Addressing the Commercial Officers of the Department of Commerce currently serving in Sri Lanka's Foreign Missions across twenty-three commercially important markets, the Minister underscored their vital role in advancing Sri Lanka's trade and broader economic interests in international markets. He emphasized the importance of delivering measurable results through market development, export promotion, investment facilitation, and stronger international business engagement. The Minister also encouraged the officers to continue aligning their activities with the National Export Development Plan (NEDP), including the target of increasing Sri Lanka's total exports to over USD 36 billion by 2030.

The Minister further emphasized the importance of mobilizing greater international participation in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, expanding market access for Sri Lankan products and services, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred tourism destination, and identifying opportunities for skilled overseas employment.

During the meeting, each Commercial Officer briefed the Minister on activities undertaken to date and outlined planned programmes for the remainder of the year to promote trade, investment, tourism, and employment opportunities in their respective countries of accreditation.

The meeting concluded with a decision to hold regular performance review meetings to monitor progress, share best practices, and further strengthen Sri Lanka's commercial engagement in international markets.