ISLAMABAD 3 August: Pakistan’s salt exports to China soared by 33% in the first half of 2025, underlining the growing trade relationship between the two countries, according to official Chinese customs data.
Figures from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) revealed that Pakistan exported $3.74 million worth of industrial salt to China from January to June 2025, up from $2.84 million during the same period in 2024. The export volume reached 23.94 million kilograms, with an average unit price of $0.15 per kg.
When combining all salt categories—edible, industrial, and other types—Pakistan’s total salt exports to China reached $3.93 million in H1 2025, compared to $2.95 million in H1 2024, reflecting a 33% year-on-year rise.
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Part of a Larger Trade Expansion
The growth in salt exports is part of a broader trend in Pakistan-China trade relations. Between January and June 2025, Pakistan’s overall exports to China totaled $1.248 billion. Key export items included:
- Copper
- Cotton yarn
- Seafood
- Sesame seeds
- Zinc and iron ores
- Roasted iron pyrites
- Rice
Trader Insights and Market Drivers
Muhammad Zeeshan, a Pakistani salt exporter, attributed the rise in exports to:
- Improved logistics and shipping connectivity
- Enhanced market access through the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA)
- Growing demand in China for Pakistani pink salt, especially for industrial uses and as a raw material
