Brussels, (Unib Rashid) __ “If Pakistan and India unite, they could meet half of the Middle East’s food demand,” said Dr. J.S. Yadav, head of the Indian delegation, during an exclusive conversation with Pakistani Councilor Muhammad Nasir Chaudhry at the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) international conference held in Brussels.

The discussion focused on South Asia’s agricultural capacity, the food systems of Pakistan and India, and the differences between the Asian and European food models. The dialogue took the form of an interactive Q&A session between the two representatives.

Learning from Europe’s Cooperation,Councilor Nasir Chaudhry asked:

“Europe’s history is filled with wars and millions of lives lost, yet today Belgium, Germany, and France stand united in peace, cooperation, and prosperity. Can Pakistan and India ever achieve something similar?”

Dr. Yadav responded:

“The topic may be different, but the reality is clear — if Pakistan and India choose a path of cooperation similar to the European Union, the future of the entire region could change.”

He noted that around 70% of the world’s fruits and vegetables are produced by just a few Asian countries — primarily India, China, and others.
If Brazil and Argentina are excluded, this ratio rises to 80%.

South Asian Food System vs. Europe.

When asked why South Asia’s food system differs so much from Europe’s, Dr. Yadav explained:

“In our region, food is not just a commodity — it is a source of livelihood, culture, agricultural heritage, and the backbone of our economy.
We treat fruits and vegetables as living, fresh produce, whereas in Europe food is seen as an industrial product — managed through packaging, processing, storage networks, and organized transport systems.”
Potential to Dominate the Middle East Market

On whether Pakistan, India, and China could gain global strength through cooperation, Dr. Yadav replied:

“Absolutely. Pakistan and India together have the capacity to feed half of the Middle East. Currently, about 50% of Dubai’s imported food originates from these two countries.
With joint strategy and a better supply chain, the entire Middle East could come under their food influence.”
He added that Dubai is currently the region’s largest food hub, while Abu Dhabi is rapidly emerging as a new center.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arab countries realized they have wealth but lack food security. They now seek reliable and sustainable food supply — something Pakistan and India can easily provide.”

Consumer vs. Farmer-Centered Models

When asked about the fundamental difference between South Asia and Europe’s food challenges, Dr. Yadav said:

“The European model is entirely consumer-centered — focused on food safety, hygiene, quality, certification, and traceability.
In South Asia, however, the farmer is at the center — the focus is on production, procurement, training, quality improvement, and access to markets.
This is why our infrastructure, food safety standards, and supply chains differ so fundamentally from Europe’s.”