LAHORE: Pakistan’s rice export sector staged a remarkable comeback in December 2025, delivering a performance that quietly reshaped the global rankings and raised new questions about the country’s untapped trade potential.
In this regard, the official trade data show that rice exports surged by 14 per cent month-on-month in December, driven largely by an exceptional rebound in Basmati shipments, which rose by more than 50 per cent compared to November.
The momentum pushed Pakistan ahead of Vietnam, making it the world’s third-largest rice exporter for the month, trailing only India and Thailand.
In this sense, Pakistan exported 489,000 tonnes of rice in December, excluding shipments to Iran. Vietnam, by comparison, recorded exports of 387,000 tonnes. For Pakistan, this marked the strongest monthly performance in recent years, signalling renewed competitiveness in international markets despite persistent domestic and global pressures.
The United Arab Emirates emerged as the largest buyer of Pakistani rice, importing nearly 75,000 tonnes, including a significant share of Basmati.
China followed closely, while African markets such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau continued to absorb large volumes. Europe, North America and the Gulf also featured among key destinations, underscoring the geographic diversity of Pakistan’s rice exports.
In this regard, December revealed a quieter but potentially more strategic development: Pakistan’s expanding footprint in Central Asia. Yet, even as Pakistan climbed the global rankings, the rebound has exposed deeper contradictions within the sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now instructed relevant authorities to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen rice exports and address the growing trade deficit. What that strategy will prioritise and whether December’s momentum can be sustained remains an open question.
