Pakistan’s salt exports to China surged by 40% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2025, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). Between January and March 2025, Pakistan shipped over 13.64 million kilograms of salt to China, generating $1.83 million in revenue—a notable rise from $1.30 million recorded during the same period in 2024.
Ghulam Qadir, Trade and Investment Counsellor at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, emphasized that the growth underscores deepening bilateral trade ties under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “This increase reflects both China’s rising demand for high-quality industrial and edible salt and Pakistan’s ability to align with international standards,” he stated. Qadir noted that exports are categorized into three segments: edible salt, pure sodium chloride, and other specialized salts.
Industry analysts credit the expansion to streamlined logistics, competitive pricing, and stricter adherence to quality controls by Pakistani suppliers. Additionally, China’s escalating industrial needs—particularly in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food processing—have driven demand. A senior representative from Pakistan’s Trade Development Authority remarked, “This surge demonstrates Pakistan’s growing capacity to fulfill global market requirements and marks a pivotal step toward diversifying our export portfolio in China.”
The uptick is viewed as a milestone in CPEC’s broader objective to strengthen economic collaboration, with both nations anticipating further growth in cross-sector trade partnerships.