Displaying items by tag: basmati

Exports of rice from Pakistan rebounded strongly in December 2025, rising 14% month on month, driven largely by a surge of more than 50% in basmati shipments. Total exports reached 489,000 tonnes, allowing Pakistan to overtake Vietnam and become the world’s third-largest rice exporter for the month, behind India and Thailand. The UAE and China were the top destinations, while exports also expanded across Africa, Europe, and North America. A significant development was Pakistan’s growing presence in Central Asia, as exporters shifted to direct trade routes following Afghan border closures. Despite these gains, deep structural challenges remain, including intense global competition, policy inconsistencies, high logistics costs, and limited access to key markets such as Iraq and Turkiye. Encouraging signs include rising demand from Iran, Central Asia, and the USA, offering hope for sustained recovery if reforms follow.