Pakistan's pine nut exports to China nearly doubled between 2023 and 2025, driven by growing demand from Chinese consumers for the premium nut harvested in the country's mountainous northern regions, according to trade data cited by state media on Wednesday.
Rising Exports and Revenue
China has emerged as the most important overseas market for Pakistan's chilgoza, or pine nuts, with traders estimating that 80-90 percent of exports are now destined for the world's second-largest economy. This trend underscores expanding agricultural trade between the longtime allies and provides a growing source of income for communities in some of Pakistan's most remote regions.
According to data from China's General Administration of Customs cited by China Economic Net, Pakistan's pine nut exports to China increased from 579.8 tons in 2023 to 1,147 tons in 2025. Export earnings rose from $8.2 million to a peak of $18.8 million in 2024 before easing slightly to $17.9 million in 2025.
Quality and Production
“Chinese consumers highly prefer Pakistani chilgoza due to its thin shell, crispy texture, and mild flavor,” said Abdul Mateen, chief executive of Islamabad-based pine nut exporter AM Enterprises, as quoted in a report by state news agency APP.
Pakistan's pine nut forests are concentrated in North and South Waziristan, along with parts of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. According to Amjad Zarin, an associate professor at Jilin International Studies University, North and South Waziristan account for around 80-85 percent of Pakistan's total pine nut production. Zarin told APP that Pakistan's annual pine nut output typically ranges between 2,100 and 2,900 metric tons, with production varying depending on weather conditions.
Market Demand and Challenges
The growing Chinese appetite for premium imported food products has helped drive demand for Pakistani pine nuts, which are prized for their flavor and nutritional value. Industry officials say China now represents the most promising export destination for the sector because of its large consumer base and increasing interest in healthy snacks.
Despite rising exports, industry experts say Pakistan's pine nut sector continues to face challenges including limited processing facilities, inadequate packaging, and inconsistent quality standards. “China and Pakistan have significant room to deepen cooperation in agricultural processing and value-added exports,” Mateen said. He emphasized that greater collaboration in cleaning, sorting, packaging, cold-chain logistics, and food processing could help improve product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and allow Pakistani exporters to capture a larger share of China's premium food market.
Experts say investments in processing and branding could also help Pakistan move beyond raw commodity exports and generate higher returns from one of its most valuable specialty agricultural products.
