Pakistan’s rice exporters have maintained a strong position in the global market despite India offering heavy subsidies and selling rice at very low prices. Pakistani exporters focused on quality and smart strategies, helping them keep their market share steady.
India recently lifted a two-year ban on rice exports, re-entering the global market. This move sparked excitement in Indian media, which predicted serious financial losses for Pakistani exporters. However, Pakistan’s rice exports stayed stable during this period.
From July to September 2024, Pakistan exported an average of 550,000 tons of rice each month. Even after India’s return, Pakistani exporters avoided price wars and focused on offering high-quality rice to key markets like the UK, Europe, and Africa.
According to Pakistan’s Bureau of Statistics, the country exported 5.54 million tons of rice in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, showing less than a 1 percent drop compared to the previous year. However, rice production fell by 3.7 percent in 2024, causing stock levels to decrease and raising concerns about a possible 15 percent drop in exports from April to June 2025.
Meanwhile, India continues to sell both basmati and non-basmati rice at extremely low prices, with some prices reportedly below production costs. This deep subsidy policy has drawn criticism from global trade partners and led to complaints at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Despite the subsidy, India’s rice exports dropped by 50 percent year-on-year in April and May 2025, raising questions about the effectiveness of its export policies. Pakistani exporters remain vigilant, focusing on quality, flexibility, and strong strategies to protect their position in the competitive rice market.
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