In 2024, Pakistan made remarkable progress in its rice exports, achieving a 25% increase in shipments to Saudi Arabia. These exports reached a value of $4 billion, driven by the exceptional quality of Pakistani rice, which has become very popular with Saudi consumers. This growing demand has exporters hopeful that rice exports will rise further to $4.5 billion by 2025.
The Chairman of the Saudi-Pakistani Business Council praised the high quality of Pakistani rice, emphasizing its strong reputation in the Saudi market. This success has been supported by the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which has played a key role in promoting agricultural exports.
According to Shahjehan Malik, an official from SIFC, Pakistan has set an ambitious goal of reaching $5 billion in rice exports in the next fiscal year. To achieve this, the country is focusing on advanced research to improve seed quality and encouraging the adoption of standardized farming practices.
Pakistani Basmati rice, known for its premium quality, continues to gain recognition in global markets. This growing reputation not only boosts exports but also strengthens Pakistan’s position as a leading rice exporter.
With consistent efforts and improvements in farming and export strategies, Pakistan is well on its way to achieving higher targets and maintaining its competitive edge in the international market. This growth in rice exports is a positive step for the country’s economy and trade relations.