BEIJING: Pakistan’s salt exports to China saw a significant 40% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reflecting strengthening bilateral trade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and China’s growing industrial demand.
According to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN) on Monday, citing data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Pakistan exported over 13.64 million kilograms of salt to China from January to March 2025. The export value reached $1.83 million, a notable jump from $1.30 million recorded during the same quarter in 2024.
Ghulam Qadir, Trade and Investment Counsellor at Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing, confirmed the figures and highlighted the growing trade synergy between the two countries. He noted that Pakistan is currently exporting salt to China under three main categories: edible salt, pure sodium chloride, and other forms of industrial salt.
Trade experts credit this export surge to several contributing factors, including improved logistics, adherence to international quality standards, and competitive pricing offered by Pakistani exporters. Additionally, efforts by both governments to streamline trade procedures and promote bilateral commerce under CPEC have facilitated smoother cross-border transactions.
The rise in demand is also attributed to China’s increasing use of salt in its industrial sectors, especially in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. As China’s industrial base expands and modernizes, high-quality raw materials such as processed salt are seeing growing demand.
A senior official from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) remarked that this growth reflects Pakistan’s improved capacity to meet international market requirements. “This surge is a testament to Pakistan’s expanding capacity to meet international market demands, and a positive sign for diversifying our exports to China,” the official stated.
The official further emphasized that consistent export growth in non-traditional sectors like salt bodes well for Pakistan’s long-term economic strategy of reducing dependency on limited export categories and tapping into broader value-added trade segments.
The development is being viewed as a positive signal for Pakistan’s trade community, especially as the government aims to improve export volumes and explore more avenues for value-added trade with regional partners.
