Pakistan’s salt exports to China saw a significant rise of 33% during the first half of 2025, signalling stronger bilateral trade ties and growing demand for Pakistani pink salt in global markets.
As per data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), salt exports from Pakistan to China reached $3.93 million between January and June 2025. This marks an increase from $2.95 million during the same period in 2024. The bulk of this trade comprised industrial salt, which alone accounted for $3.74 million, up from $2.84 million last year, at a volume of 23.94 million kilograms, averaging $0.15 per kilogram.
Industry experts see this growth as a reflection of evolving trade dynamics. Muhammad Zeeshan, a Pakistani salt trader, credited the increase to better logistics, preferential tariffs under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), and a rise in industrial applications for Pakistani salt, particularly the widely favored Himalayan pink salt.
This upward trend in salt exports complements broader trade gains between the two countries. In the first half of 2025, Pakistan’s total exports to China stood at $1.248 billion. Major contributors included copper, cotton yarn, seafood, sesame seeds, zinc and iron ores, and rice, further highlighting the expanding scope of bilateral commerce.
The surge in salt exports not only strengthens Pakistan’s trade footprint in China but also underscores the country’s efforts to diversify its export portfolio, especially in niche markets like mineral products. The outlook for continued growth remains positive as demand continues to rise in China’s industrial sectors.
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