Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

PHDEC, Punjab Agriculture Department Join Hands to Boost Horticulture Exports

Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) CEO Mr. Muhammad Naseer met Secretary Agriculture, Govt of Punjab Mr. Shakeel Ahmad Mian to strengthen collaboration on horticulture development and the proposed Lahore Horticulture Expo 2027. The meeting focused on connecting Punjab’s growers, processors and exporters with international buyers, strengthening production and market intelligence, promoting value addition and improving export readiness.

With Punjab contributing around 70% of the raw material for ’s and exports, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer federal-provincial coordination, reliable production data, capacity building and stronger market linkages to unlock new opportunities for Pakistan’s horticulture sector.

28/08/2026

🧄 Strengthening Pakistan’s Garlic Export Readiness

Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) organized a webinar on “Export-Quality Garlic Production: Post-Harvest Handling, Storage, Processing and Quality Standards” to strengthen the quality, marketability and export potential of garlic.

The session highlighted that export competitiveness begins well before the shipment leaves the country. Experts emphasized timely harvesting, proper curing, careful handling, grading, controlled storage, food-grade packaging and compliance with international food-safety and quality standards as essential steps for maintaining bulb quality throughout the supply chain.

With Pakistan’s garlic exports showing growing potential, particularly in the market, PHDEC emphasized the need to expand beyond fresh into dehydrated garlic, powder, flakes, granules, paste and black/smoked garlic to create higher-value export opportunities.

An important outcome of the webinar was the decision to organize a dedicated session on garlic processing and value addition, bringing together processors, exporters and value-addition enterprises. Preliminary R&D findings on G1 and Desi garlic also highlighted opportunities to explore varieties and blends that can balance processing yield with the characteristic aroma desired in value-added products.

PHDEC will continue working with research institutions, growers, processors and exporters to strengthen the garlic value chain—from quality production to post-harvest management, processing and international market access.

27/08/2026

🍊 Pakistan’s Kinnow Targets China’s Retail Market

Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) facilitated a B2B meeting between leading Pakistani citrus exporters and Freshippo, an Alibaba.com-affiliated grocery retail chain with 1,000+ outlets across , to explore new opportunities for exporting fresh Pakistani to the Chinese market.

With producing approximately 2.4 million tonnes of citrus annually, the engagement focused on the requirements that matter most to international buyers: quality, consistency, reliable supply, competitive pricing and efficient logistics.

Leading Pakistani exporters showcased their sourcing networks, grading and packing facilities, cold-chain capabilities and international export experience. Freshippo termed the engagement highly productive and agreed to a follow-up meeting in November 2026 to finalize quality specifications, supply volumes, pricing and logistics ahead of the export season starting December 1, 2026.

Through direct engagement with major international buyers, PHDEC is working to build market-led export opportunities for Pakistani horticulture—connecting our growers and exporters with global retail markets.

21/08/2026

🫒 From ’s Orchards to Global Markets

A delegation of growers, processors, value-adders and traders from Balochistan met with the CEO, PHDEC to discuss opportunities for export of , and other horticultural products from Balochistan. They were assured that PHDEC will facilitate them in capacity building, meetings and participation in Expos. The meeting further agreed on technical training for Balochistan farmers in solar drying of chillies and fruit & vegetable dehydration, supporting the province’s transition towards greater processing, value addition and market-oriented production.

21/08/2026

🌍 Advancing Pakistan’s Regional Trade through Horticulture 🌱

Mr. Muhammad Naseer, CEO, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC), participated as a Guest Speaker and Panelist at the seminar “Advancing Pakistan’s Regional Trade in an Evolving Geopolitical Landscape,” organized by the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.

During the discussion, he highlighted agriculture and horticulture as Pakistan’s most immediate opportunities for expanding exports to neighboring and regional markets, emphasizing the need to leverage regional demand, strengthen value chains, improve market connectivity, and enhance export competitiveness.

21/08/2026

🥔 Strengthening Pakistan’s Potato Value Chain for Global Markets 🌱➡️🌍

PHDEC, in collaboration with the Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal and Agriculture Department, Govt of Punjab, organized a workshop focused on quality seed, higher productivity, industrial processing, starch development and sustainable potato production.

The reopening of the market and registration of 101 Pakistani potato export companies was highlighted as a major opportunity for the sector. Trade representatives from Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and the UAE also shared valuable insights on market opportunities, export requirements and potential for Pakistani potatoes.

The workshop also featured a visit to the Tissue Culture Laboratory at Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal, where participants were briefed on quality planting material, varietal development, processing potential and starch production. Discussions further covered phytosanitary certification, export procedures, intellectual property protection, value addition and market-specific production strategies.

PHDEC reaffirmed its commitment to building a competitive, export-oriented potato value chain through technology, market linkages, value addition, capacity building and stronger coordination among growers, researchers, government institutions and industry.

18/08/2026

🍑 From Orchard to Opportunity: Strengthening Swat’s Peach Value Chain

PHDEC, in collaboration with the Agriculture Extension Office, Matta, organized a workshop in Upper Swat focused on strengthening the peach supply chain and conducted a trial demonstration of the Peach Processing & Grading Unit. Converted from the former Apple Processing Unit on PHDEC’s recommendation, the facility will support processing, grading, post-harvest management and value addition for locally produced peaches.

The workshop brought together growers, researchers and public-sector stakeholders to discuss SPS requirements, MRL compliance, pesticide management, food safety, post-harvest losses, GI registration, branding and export opportunities. The initiative marks an important step towards transforming Swat’s peach production into a more quality-driven, value-added and export-oriented sector.

14/08/2026

🇵🇰 Independence Day Celebrations at PHDEC 🇵🇰

PHDEC celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day with a cake-cutting ceremony at its Headquarters, reaffirming the spirit of unity, progress, and national pride.

Together, let’s continue working towards a stronger, prosperous and export-oriented Pakistan. 🇵🇰✨

10/08/2026

's horticulture sector is on the verge of a breakthrough — and value addition is the key. In this episode, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan (Consultant, PHDEC) sits down with the Honorable Federal Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, to discuss how Pakistan can transform raw fruits and vegetables into globally competitive export products. From mangoes and cherries to chilies and bananas, Pakistan grows over 30 fruit and 35 vegetable varieties — yet much of this potential is lost to post-harvest waste and minimal processing. Minister Jam Kamal shares the government's push toward pulps, juices, and dehydrated products, aimed at attracting international investors, encouraging corporate farming, and building a modern, scientific supply chain with better cold storage and packaging. The conversation also covers PHDEC's recent milestones — including new dehydration units, cherry exports to China, over 1 million fruit bagging kits distributed to farmers, and $45 million in export deals facilitated at FoodAg-2025 — as well as the sector's biggest hurdles: low productivity, climate change, and gaps in food safety compliance. With exports nearing $32 billion in 2024–25, the Minister lays out a clear roadmap to hit $2 billion in horticulture exports within the next 3 years, tapping into a global market projected to reach $388 billion by 2034.