1 Jul 2025
Pakistan’s rice exports witnessed a year-on-year decline of 11.71% during the first 11 months of the Fiscal Year 2024-25, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Between July 2024 and May 2025, Pakistan exported 5.544 million tonnes (mt) of rice, generating $3.203 billion in revenue. This compares to 5.593 mt exported in the same period of the previous fiscal year, which was valued at $3.628 billion.
Despite the overall decline, Basmati rice exports showed a modest increase. Pakistan exported 761,702 mt of Basmati rice worth $781.93 million, reflecting a 1.03% rise in value compared to 679,100 mt worth $773.98 million exported during the same period last year.
Non-Basmati rice exports, however, declined significantly. In the July–May period, 4.783 mt of non-Basmati rice were exported, earning $2.441 billion, down from $2.854 billion in the same timeframe of FY 2023-24.
Overall, Pakistan’s food exports during the 11-month period totaled $6.748 billion, slightly below the $6.825 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Officials from the Pakistan Rice Exporters Association (PREA) attributed the resilience of Pakistan’s rice sector, particularly in the premium segment, to a strategic pivot toward quality and market agility. They emphasized that while India’s return to the export market has intensified competition, Pakistan has focused on premium positioning, avoiding price wars and instead emphasizing superior quality and reliability.
Pakistan has maintained its foothold in high-value markets such as the United Kingdom and the European Union, while also addressing the demands of price-sensitive African markets through a tiered quality strategy. According to PREA, Pakistan's rice exports averaged 550,000 tonnes per month during the July–September 2024 period, even in the face of India lifting its export restrictions.
However, industry experts warn of challenges ahead, as Pakistan’s rice production during the Kharif 2024 season fell by 3.7%, leading to declining stock levels by April 2025. As a result, rice exports for the final quarter of 2025 are expected to drop by approximately 15% due to limited inventory.
In terms of global pricing, India currently offers the lowest Free on Board (FOB) price for 25% broken non-Basmati rice at $349 per tonne, undercutting Thailand ($376), Vietnam ($362), and Pakistan ($365). This pricing disparity continues to pose a competitive challenge for Pakistani exporters in international markets.