Pakistan's Position in Global Rice Trade
Pakistan is the world's 4th largest rice exporter after India, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the first eight months of FY 2024-25 (July to February), Pakistan exported 4,168,798 metric tons of rice valued at $2.48 billion. The full fiscal year total was Rs. 935.6 billion. Rice is Pakistan's 2nd largest export commodity after textiles, accounting for roughly 6-8% of total national exports.
Pakistan holds approximately 8% of global rice trade volume. While India dominates with 40%+ market share, Pakistan competes on price, grain quality, and proximity to GCC and African markets. Pakistan's key advantages include competitive FOB pricing, proximity to GCC and African markets, and a consistent open trade policy with no history of export bans.
Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Monthly Export Bulletins and Annual Trade Statistics.
Basmati vs Non-Basmati Export Split
The following table shows the basmati vs non-basmati breakdown for July-February of FY 2024-25, sourced from PBS monthly export bulletins.
| Category | Volume (MT) | Value (USD) | Share of Volume | Share of Value | Avg. FOB Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basmati Rice | 587,986 | $600 million | 14.1% | 24.2% | $1,020/MT |
| Non-Basmati Rice | 3,580,812 | $1,883 million | 85.9% | 75.8% | $526/MT |
| Total | 4,168,798 | $2,483 million | 100% | 100% | $596/MT |
Source: PBS, Monthly Export Data (Jul-Feb FY 2024-25). Period covers 8 of 12 months.
Non-basmati rice (primarily IRRI-6 in various broken grades) accounts for over 85% of Pakistan's export volume. However, basmati commands nearly double the per-ton value. A single container of 1121 Basmati White generates more revenue than two containers of IRRI-6 25% broken.
While basmati is a smaller share of total volume, it punches above its weight on value: 14.1% of volume but 24.2% of export earnings. This value premium makes basmati strategically important for Pakistan's trade balance.
Top Export Destinations
| Rank | Country | Primary Products | Key Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | IRRI-6, Broken Rice | Shanghai, Guangzhou |
| 2 | UAE | 1121 Basmati, Super Kernel | Jebel Ali |
| 3 | Kenya | IRRI-6, PK386 | Mombasa |
| 4 | Afghanistan | IRRI-6, PK386, Broken | Torkham (land border) |
| 5 | Iraq | 1121 Sella, PK386 | Umm Qasr |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 1121 Sella, Super Kernel | Jeddah, Dammam |
| 7 | Tanzania | IRRI-6, Broken | Dar es Salaam |
| 8 | Nigeria | IRRI-6 Parboiled | Lagos (Apapa) |
| 9 | UK | 1121 White, Super Kernel | Felixstowe |
| 10 | Mozambique | IRRI-6, Broken | Beira |
China became Pakistan's largest rice buyer in 2020 and has maintained the top position since. Chinese demand is concentrated in non-basmati and broken rice for food processing. The GCC (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq combined) remains the largest destination for basmati rice, absorbing over 60% of Pakistan's basmati exports.
Year-Over-Year Trends
The following table shows Pakistan's rice export value by fiscal year (July-June), sourced from PBS annual trade statistics.
| Fiscal Year | Rice Export Value (Rs. Million) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 325,585 | |
| 2021-22 | 450,159 | +38.3% |
| 2022-23 | 541,166 | +20.2% |
| 2023-24 | 1,107,323 | +104.6% |
| 2024-25 | 935,613 | -15.5% |
Source: PBS, Exports of Selected Commodities (Table 14.02-13). Full fiscal years (July-June).
The 2022-23 figures reflect the impact of devastating floods that destroyed a significant portion of Pakistan's rice crop in Sindh province. Despite lower volume, global prices spiked after India's export ban on non-basmati white rice in July 2023, enabling Pakistan to fill part of the supply gap. This drove the massive 104.6% value jump in 2023-24. FY 2024-25 saw a 15.5% correction as India partially relaxed its export restrictions and global rice prices normalized.
FY 2025-26 vs FY 2024-25 (Jul-Feb Comparison, USD)
| Metric | Jul-Feb 2024-25 | Jul-Feb 2025-26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Volume | 4,168,798 MT | 2,801,216 MT | -32.8% |
| Total Value | $2,483 million | $1,492 million | -39.9% |
| Basmati Volume | 587,986 MT | 509,104 MT | -13.4% |
| Basmati Value | $600 million | $549 million | -8.5% |
| Non-Basmati Volume | 3,580,812 MT | 2,292,113 MT | -36.0% |
| Non-Basmati Value | $1,883 million | $943 million | -49.9% |
Source: PBS, Monthly Export Bulletins (Jul 2025 - Feb 2026). Comparison period: 8 months.
The sharpest decline is in non-basmati, where both volume (-36%) and value (-49.9%) dropped significantly. Basmati has been more resilient, with volume down 13.4% and value down only 8.5%, reflecting higher per-ton realization ($1,079/MT in 2025-26 vs $1,020/MT in 2024-25). The non-basmati correction reflects India's gradual re-entry into global rice markets following the lifting of export restrictions.
Pakistan vs Competitors: Market Share
| Country | Est. Annual Exports (MT) | Global Share | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 18,000,000 | ~37% | Volume, variety range, basmati dominance |
| Thailand | 8,500,000 | ~17% | Jasmine rice, consistent quality |
| Vietnam | 7,500,000 | ~15% | Low-cost, proximity to Asia |
| Pakistan | 5,000,000+ | ~8% | Price competitiveness, GCC/Africa access |
| USA | 3,000,000 | ~6% | Medium grain, premium branding |
Source: FAO/USDA estimates.
Pakistan's competitive advantages include proximity to GCC and African markets (shorter shipping routes from Karachi than from Ho Chi Minh City or Yangon), a consistent open trade policy with no history of export bans, and strong relationships with buyers across 50+ countries. For a detailed origin comparison, see Pakistan vs India basmati.
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