ZubairYaqoob Karachi
In a remarkable development for the national economy, Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in sesame seed exports to China, with Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority (TDAP) ,Zubair Motiwala, announcing Pakistan’s lead in sesame seed exports to China, projecting exports to reach an impressive $450 million this year.
Motiwala revealed that there has been an extraordinary 242% increase in sesame seed exports between the two countries, with total exports already reaching $380 million and expected to surpass $450 million by the year-end. He highlighted Pakistan’s newfound dominance in the sesame seed export sector to China, a stark contrast from previous years when tea exports were not a significant consideration. According to Motiwala, Pakistan now leads in supplying sesame seed to China, marking a historic achievement in bilateral trade relations. The Director General of Agriculture, Athar Hussain Khokhar, echoed Motiwala’s sentiments, emphasizing that Pakistan’s sesame seed exports are set to exceed $400 million this year, placing Pakistan’s sesame seed production between the ninth and fifth positions globally.
Khokhar further noted that Punjab contributes 92% of the total tea production, prompting the Trade Development Authority to launch a special awareness campaign in Punjab to boost sesame seed production in the region. This concerted effort aims to leverage Punjab’s potential to further enhance Pakistan’s sesame seed exports and solidify its position as a key player in the global sesame seed market.
