If you’re looking for a good place to export Pakistani goods, Canada should be at the top of your list. The Pakistani and South Asian diaspora in Canada is one of the fastest-growing groups in North America. They want real Pakistani goods, like basmati rice and Himalayan pink salt, but there aren’t enough of them.
This blog post goes into detail about all the main types of goods that are being sent from Pakistan to Canada, where to find those goods in Pakistan, and how to find buyers in Canada. This guide will help you get started whether you are a first-time exporter with little money or an experienced trader who wants to branch out.
📋 Table of Contents
Why Canada Is a Chance for Pakistani Exporters
1. Seafood. Fresh Fish from Pakistans Coast
Pakistan has a coastline with lots of fish. This can be a product to sell in Canada.
2. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Pakistan grows types of fruits and vegetables. These can be exported to Canada.
3. Pakistani Dates
Dates are very popular in countries. Pakistan can export dates to Canada.
4. Tea and Spices
Tea and spices are used by people. Pakistan can export these products to Canada.
5. Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a type of rice. It is grown in Pakistan. Can be exported to Canada.
6. Sesame Seeds and Traditional Snacks
Sesame seeds and traditional snacks are food options. These can be sold in Canada.
7. Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan pink salt is a product. It comes from the mountains and can be exported to Canada.
8. Leather Products. Jackets, Gloves and Sports Gear
Pakistan makes leather products. These can be sold in Canada.
9. Textiles and Clothing
Pakistan has a textile industry. Clothing and textiles can be exported to Canada.
10. Footwear
Pakistan makes types of shoes. These can be sold in Canada.
11. Surgical and Dental Instruments
Pakistan makes instruments. These can be exported to Canada.
How to Find Buyers in Canada
There are ways to find buyers in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some questions are asked often.
In conclusion Canada is a market, for Pakistani exporters.
Why Canada Is a Great Place for Pakistani Exporters to Do Business
There is a large and growing South Asian community in Canada, especially Pakistani and Indian immigrants who have strong cultural ties to the food, clothes, and lifestyle products from their home countries. These communities have been around for a long time, have a lot of money to spend, and are always looking for things they can’t find locally that are the same quality or taste.
Outside of the diaspora, Canadians are becoming more interested in natural, organic, and ethically sourced goods. This is where Pakistani exports like Himalayan pink salt, organic spices, and handmade leather goods really shine. Canada also has stable trade relations, a clear set of rules for imports and exports, and a port system that is easy to get to.
The desi (South Asian) community in Canada can’t live without the fresh vegetables, spices, rice, and snacks they grew up with. Because of this built-in demand, Pakistani exporters already have a loyal customer base that is ready to buy from them.
The chance is even better because many Pakistani exporters are just starting to get into this market. Those who move quickly to set up a reliable supply chain and earn the trust of Canadian buyers will have big advantages over competitors who come in later.
1. Seafood. Fresh Fish from Pakistans Coastline
Pakistan has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea. This is where you can find the seafood industry. The seafood industry in Pakistan produces good quality fish and shellfish. People in countries like Canada really want to buy these products.
Some of the seafood products from Pakistan that are being sent to Canada are:
- Black Barracuda. People in seafood restaurants really like this fish
- Amberjack (Averja). This fish is popular because it has firm flesh and it tastes mild
- Grouper. This is a premium fish that a lot of people eat in North America
- Top Shell. This is a type of shellfish that people all over the world want to buy more of
Where to Source Seafood in Pakistan
If you want to buy export quality fish in Pakistan you should go to Karachi Fish Harbour, which is also known as Karachi Fisheries. There are also some places like Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara. These are towns, on the coast where you can get fish. The fresh fish can be packed in refrigerated containers. Sent to other countries.
Pakistani fish is really popular in restaurants and seafood markets.This is especially true in cities where a lot of Asian people live, like Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton.
To export seafood you need to do a things. Seafood export needs to follow food safety rules. You also need to have a way to keep the seafood cold when you transport it.. You have to do the paperwork right including getting health certificates, for the Pakistani fish. It is an idea to work with a seafood processing plant that is licensed and meets the standards of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before you try to send a lot of Pakistani fish to Canada.
2. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables. The Desi Kitchen Staples
Fresh fruits and vegetables are really important, to us because they remind the Canadian community of home. The Canadian desi community has a time finding the same fresh fruits and vegetables that they have back home. The things that are being sent to Canada include fruits and vegetables.
- 🥕 I love carrots.
Carrots, also known as Gajar are really good for you.
Fresh carrots from Pakistan are very sweet. People in Canada want to buy them a lot during the winter.
I am talking about carrots, from
📍 Sindh Punjab
- 🌶️ Green Chillies
You cannot do without chillies in Pakistani cooking.
Charsadda, in KPK is where we get the green chillies from.
📍 Charsadda, KPK
- 🥬 Taro Root, Loki and Kashnaar are hard to find in Canada.
They are very expensive too.
People, from India really want these vegetables.
📍 Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas
- 🫘I love Green Chana and Fried Onion.
Green Chana and Fried Onion is really tasty.
People use packaged fried onions in lots of dishes like biryani and nihari and in their cooking.
This Green Chana and Fried Onion is a thing it can even be a million-dollar export opportunity.
You can find Green Chana and Fried Onion in places, like
📍Punjab – Sindh
I think Green Chana and Fried Onion is delicious.
- 🍈Guava (Amrood)
The guava that grows in Pakistan is really special because of its smell and taste. You just cannot get the thing, from guavas that are grown in Canada.
📍 Sindh, Punjab
- 🍉I love Watermelon and Ber which is also known as Jujube. These are really seasonal fruits. A lot of Indian Canadians really want to buy them during the summer and when it is time for festivals.
They are a deal, during this time.
📍 Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan
The main places where we get fruits and vegetables are Sindh, like Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas, Punjab like Okara, Faisalabad and Multan and KPK, like Charsadda. These fresh fruits and vegetables areas make most of Pakistans fruits and vegetables that we can export.
3. Pakistani Dates (Khajoor) The Ramadan And Eid Goldmine
Pakistani dates are really popular over the world.. In Canada, where there are a lot of Muslims people love them even more. When Ramadan and Eid come around people want dates so much that it is easy to know when to export them.
Pakistan has two places that grow a lot of dates that are good enough to export.
- Khairpur, Sindh is where most Pakistani dates come from. They grow kinds like Aseel and Begum Jangi and Muzafati.
- Makran Belt Balochistan is another place that makes a lot of high quality dates that are dried in the sun.
During Ramadan people in Canada want Pakistani dates so much. Exporters who are smart get ready three or four months before to fill all the orders they get during this time and to make relationships with the people who buy from them.
Pakistani dates can be sent to countries in many different ways. They can be sent as they are or in gift boxes or without the pit or, as a sweet syrup or even covered in chocolate. Each way is special. Costs a different amount. Packaging them nicely for Ramadan is a way to make money.
4. Tea & Spices. A Profitable Category
This is one of the biggest and most profitable export categories from Pakistan to Canada. Tea and spices are used every day in Canadian homes. People really like Pakistani-branded products because local options do not have the taste that South Asian Canadians are used to.
Tea Products Being Exported
- Green Tea (Chai Patti). The leaf form is exported in bulk. Then packaged
- Danedar Black Tea. A strong black tea with a great taste that Pakistani tea drinkers love
Spices & Masala Mixes Being Exported
Packaged spice mixes are easy to export even, for small exporters. The following products are shipped from Pakistan to Canada in quantities:
- 🌶️ Chilli powder and turmeric are spices, in Pakistani cooking. They are used in every dish. You can buy them in small packs. Both types sell well.
- 🧄 I love using Ginger Garlic Paste when I cook. You can buy it in jars. It is really easy to use, which is great for people who live far from home. People are willing to pay a lot for this kind of convenience.
- 🍛 I also like using Biryani & Karahi Masala when I make dishes. You can buy these spices already mixed together in packets. Some brands like National and Shan are really well known. There are other brands that are cheaper and just as good.
- 🫙 Some spices like Chaat, Nihari & Korma Masala are really hard to find. These are spices that are used in Pakistani cooking and you need special ingredients to make them. Ginger Garlic Paste and other spices like Biryani & Karahi Masala and Chaat, Nihari & Korma Masala are all important, for cooking.
There is an opportunity for people who make masala mixes. Many people are already sending their special masala mixes to Canada and they are doing well. If you can make a product and put the right labels on it you can sell it in Canadian grocery stores that sell Indian food. You need to make sure the labels are in English and have a list of ingredients and information, about nutrition. This way you can compete with people who are selling masala mixes in Canadian desi grocery stores. Many exporters are successfully sending their private-label masala mixes to Canada.
5. Basmati Rice. Pakistans Star Export Product to Canada
If you want to know what Pakistan exports to Canada it is Basmati Rice. Specifically it is 1121 Basmati Rice that accounts for all of the rice that Pakistan sends to Canada. People in Canada those from Pakistan and India love 1121 Basmati Rice because of its long grains, nice smell and soft texture. Now even regular Canadians are starting to like 1121 Basmati Rice.
There is another type of rice called Ari-6 White Rice that Pakistan exports to Canada but not many people buy it compared to 1121 Basmati Rice.
Where to Find Basmati Rice in Pakistan
- In Punjab you can find Basmati Rice in places like Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Gujranwala and Okara. These are the areas where Basmati Rice is grown in Pakistan.
- In Sindh Larkana is also a place where they grow quality rice that can be exported.
Basmati Rice is not just popular among people from South Asia. Also among regular Canadians. They like it because it smells so good and the grains are of quality. The market for Basmati Rice is actually bigger, than what many exporters think.
Basmati Rice is a product to export because it can be stored for a long time its quality can be easily checked it can be packed in different ways and there are already established routes to transport it. This makes it easy for new exporters to start selling Basmati Rice.
6. Sesame Seeds and Traditional Pakistani Snacks
I have to say this category is a surprise to people who see it for the first time.. The fact is, traditional Pakistani snacks are really popular among Pakistani people living in Canada. We export a lot of products including
- Sesame Seeds, which we call Til or Simsim. We export these in amounts for food and for making cosmetics.
- Roasted Vermicelli, which we call Sewaiyaan. People use this to make a dish called sheer khurma during Eid.
- Rewri, which is a made with sesame seeds. It is like a candy and people love it.
- Achar, which is a pickle. We export kinds of pickles like mixed pickle, mango pickle and chilli pickle to stores that sell Indian and Pakistani food in Canada.
- Rose Water, which we call Gulab Jal. People use this to make desserts, drinks and skincare products.
You can find all these products in stores that sell Pakistani food in every big city in Canada like Torontos Mississauga and Vancouvers Surrey. To be successful, in this business you have to make sure your products are always good have the labels and get to the stores on time.
7. Pink Salt Pakistans Unique Global Treasure
Himalayan pink salt is something very special that Pakistan has to offer to the world. You can only find the Himalayan pink salt in Pakistan and no other country can make the same quality. People in Canada who care about health and wellness really love pink salt.
Products Being Exported
- Fine Pink Salt. People use this for cooking and at the table
- Salt Bricks & Tiles. These are used for cooking and making walls with Himalayan salt
- Salt Lamps. These are very popular in Canada for people who care about wellness
- Himalayan Licks (Animal Lick Blocks). Farmers use these to help keep their animals healthy
- Salt Glasses & Bowls. These are nice to have in the kitchen and can be used for cooking
Where to Source Himalayan Pink Salt
If you want to get Himalayan pink salt there are two main places in Pakistan where it is found:
- Primary Source: Khewra Mine, Punjab. This is a very big salt mine and it is where you can find real Himalayan pink salt.
- Secondary Source: Warcha Mine, Khushab. This is another place where a lot of pink salt is made. If you want to export pink salt products you should go to Qaidabad, Khushab first.
Himalayan pink salt is well known in Canada for being a healthy choice. People in Canada think that Himalayan pink salt is much better for them than salt so they are willing to pay more for it. This is news, for people who want to export Himalayan pink salt to Canada because they can make a good profit.
8. Leather Products. Jackets, Gloves, Bags & Sports Gear
People in Canada like the leather products that come from Pakistan. The leather industry in Pakistan is very good. People, in Canada know that Pakistani leather goods are of high quality. Pakistan sends a lot of kinds of leather products to Canada every year, including many types of leather goods.
Leather Products Exported to Canada
🥊Boxing Gloves & MMA Equipment
Boxing gloves made in Pakistan in Sialkot are well known around the world for being good quality and lasting long. They don’t cost too much.
📍 Sialkot
🧥Leather Jackets & Motorbike Jackets
We make high-quality leather jackets in Pakistan that people wear for fashion and for safety while riding motorcycles. Many of these jackets are sold to people in Canada.
📍 Karachi, Lahore
👜Leather Bags & Wallets
In Pakistan we make leather bags and wallets by hand. People like them whether they are from Pakistan or Canada.
📍 Karachi (Lyari) Lahore
🛡️ Safety & Work Gloves
We export gloves for welding, driving and industrial safety from Pakistan. These are mostly sold to businesses.
📍 Sialkot
🥋Karate & Sports Gear
In Pakistan we make sets of karate, judo and MMA gear and we sell a lot of them to other countries.
📍 Sialkot
👗Leather Vests, Shirts & Aprons
Leather clothes like vests, shirts and aprons are becoming popular and many stores in Canada want to sell them.
📍 Sialkot, Karachi
Sialkot is the city where we make leather sports goods and gloves. It’s famous around the world for making these things. We also make leather jackets and bags, in Karachi ( in Lyari and Agra Taj areas) and Lahore.
9.. Garments This Is What Pakistan Exports The Most
The textile and garment industry in Pakistan is really big. It makes up the largest part of the countrys exports. Canada is an important market for Textiles and Garments from Pakistan. This includes things like clothes that are already made and textiles for the home.
Ready-Made Garments are a part of this.
- You have T-shirts, hoodies and pants
- Then there are suits for kids and clothes for children
- People also make sports uniforms, like karate suits and special shorts for sports
- Jackets and outerwear are also made
- Ladies suits that are not stitched together these come in two-piece and three-piece sets which’re really popular in the desi market
- There is also work wear made of cotton for people who work in industries
Then there are Home Textile Products.
- Blankets that keep you warm made of 100% cotton are exported in amounts
- Bed sheets and pillow cases these can be plain or have prints on them
- Duvet covers are also made
- Towels, like the ones you use after a bath or to dry your hands and face these are all made of 100% cotton and can be white, dyed or printed
It is a fact about the industry that Textiles and Garments make up the part of what Pakistan exports to Canada. This one sector is responsible for more of the trade value between Pakistan and Canada than any other type of product.
If you want to find these things you can look in these places.
For textile fabric and yarn go to Faisalabad, which is known as the textile capital of Pakistan.
For Ready-Made Garments you can check out Lahore, which has factories for making clothes and the SITE Area, in Karachi which has hundreds of factories that make clothes for export.
10. Footwear. Affordable and Canadian-Market Ready
I think Pakistani leather footwear is really great because it is very durable and affordable. This is something that Canadian retailers and importers like a lot. Pakistan exports shoes for men and women to Canada.
Some of the places where footwear is made and sourced are Lahore, Karachi and Sialkot. Canadian importers really like leather footwear because it is good quality and cheaper than shoes from Europe.
Tip for Exporters: You need to make sure your footwear meets all the safety and labelling rules in Canada. This includes putting the country where it was made on the label. What materials were used. If you work with a customs broker in Canada they can help you with all the rules. Make it easier, for you.
11. Dental Instruments. Sialkots World Class Manufacturing
Sialkot is very well known all over the world for making sports goods and leather.. Sialkot is also famous for making surgical and dental instruments. Pakistan makes a lot of the worlds tools.. Canadas healthcare sector buys a lot of these instruments from Pakistan.
The products that Pakistan exports to Canada include:
- All kinds of instruments like scalpels and forceps and clamps
- Dental instruments like mirrors and probes and scalers
- Barber scissors and razors
- Precision scissors and cutting tools
This is a business, to business export category. So it needs ISO certifications and CE marking compliance. It also needs strict quality control.. The profit margins are very good.. The Canadian healthcare market is a very stable market that will always need these products. Sialkot is the source of all these surgical and dental instruments. Sialkot is the city where most of these products are made.
Finding Buyers in Canada is Not That Hard. Here is What You Can Do
Finding buyers is a problem for people who want to sell things to other countries. A lot of people think it is almost impossible to find buyers in Canada.. If you do things the right way you can definitely find them. Here are some good ways to find importers, wholesalers and distributors who might want to buy things from Pakistan.
1. B2B Marketplaces like Alibaba, Global Sources and more
You should make a profile on websites like Alibaba, Global Sources and TradeIndia. These websites let you show your products with pictures, descriptions, prices and other important details. Many people in Canada who buy things from countries look at these websites to find new sellers. You can start with an account and pay more later when your business is bigger.
2. Trade Shows and Big Exhibitions
Canada, Dubai, China, Germany and India have exhibitions every year for food, clothes, herbal products and machines. Going to these exhibitions with samples of your products is a way to meet buyers in person. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan also helps people from Pakistan go to these exhibitions. So you should look at their announcements. Just remember that this can be expensive so you need to plan your money
3. Using LinkedIn to Meet People
You should make a company profile on LinkedIn. Then you can use it to find and talk to importers, wholesalers, distributors and people who buy things for companies. You should also join groups on LinkedIn that’re about trade and share pictures and information about your products regularly. This way you can meet people who might want to buy things from you. Finding buyers in Canada is about using the right tools, like B2B Marketplaces, Trade Shows and LinkedIn to connect with Canadian importers, wholesalers and distributors who want to buy Pakistani products.
4 Facebook and Social Media Marketing
Create business pages for your company on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Post about your products and what you can do for people who want to import things. Join groups where people talk about importing and exporting and share what you have to offer. Use paid ads to reach people in Canada who might want to buy from you. This is a way to find buyers because it does not cost a lot of money.
5 Import Data Services
There are services that can give you information about companies in Canada that have imported things from Pakistan. These services can tell you the names of the companies how to get in touch with them what they imported and how much of it they got. This is a way to find people who might want to buy from you because they have already bought similar things before.
6 Professional Business Website
If you want to sell things to people in countries you need to have a good website. When someone in Canada finds out about your company they will probably look for your website to learn more about you. If they cannot find a website they might not want to do business with you. Your website should have information about your products what your company is about and how to get in touch with you.
7 SEO and Digital Marketing
A new website needs to be seen by people. You can use Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube to drive people to your website. You can also use ads to reach people in Canada who might be interested in what you have to offer. It can take a months for your website to show up in search results but using social media can help you get started sooner.
The Important Rule: When someone buys something from you for the first time your main goal is to make sure they get a great product. A lot of people who start selling things to countries do not get a second order from their first buyer and this is usually because the product was not good enough. So quality is really important when you are selling things to people, in countries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A lot of people in Canada want to buy 1121 Basmati Rice, Himalayan Pink Salt and Textile or Garment products from Pakistan. When it comes to food people are also buying a lot of packaged spices and masala mixes.
Yes you can start exporting to Canada with an investment. You can begin with products like packaged spices, sesame seeds, roasted vermicelli, pickles and dates. These products do not require a lot of money to start with. It is easy to follow the rules for packaging and exporting them.
Yes you need papers to export food products to Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has rules that all food products must follow. All food products must have labels that’re in English and French and they must also have information about the ingredients and nutrition. Some products also need health certificates from Pakistan.
People can buy products in Pakistani and South Asian grocery stores especially in cities like Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. Some products like salt and leather goods are also available in big Canadian stores.
The quality of the product is very important for long-term success. Many new exporters get their order but they do not get a second order because the quality of their product is not good. To be successful in the term you must deliver good products every time.
The quality Himalayan pink salt comes from Pakistan from the Khewra and Warcha salt mines, in Punjab. Some other countries may have products but Pakistani pink salt is the real thing and people are willing to pay more money for it in Canada and other countries.
Canada Is Waiting. Start Your Export Journey Today
The chance to send products to Canada is now very easy and can be very profitable. We have great things to sell like the rice and spices people use every day and special things like Himalayan pink salt and leather goods made by hand. Pakistan has something great to offer in almost every kind of product.
The market in Canada is strong and getting bigger. There are many people who originally came from Pakistan and now live in Canada, who really want to buy Pakistani products. The problem is not if people want to buy these things. We know they do. The problem is if you will do what it takes to sell them products.
You need to pick the product you want to sell. Then you need to find a supplier. After that you need to meet people who might want to buy your product.. You have to make sure your product is good quality. That is all you need to do to be successful, at exporting products to Canada.
