• Zero-duty access and trade talks aim to strengthen price competitiveness and market share
• Government-led promotion and buyer outreach signal push for diversified export demand

Pakistan is intensifying efforts to expand rice exports to Gulf and African destinations through trade negotiations, preferential market access and targeted buyer engagement, as exporters navigate pricing pressure and rising regional competition. Pakistan exported 5,50,000 tonnes of rice, marking a 12.24% year-on-year increase from 4,90,000 tonnes in the month of Jan’25 according to data maintained by BigMint.

Shipments to Gulf Cooperation Council markets remain central to this strategy, supported by zero import duties on Pakistani rice. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continue to be the largest destinations, though exporters face pricing challenges against competing Asian origins.

Africa emerges as next growth frontier

Beyond the Gulf, Africa is being positioned as a strategic demand centre for Pakistani rice. Negotiations are underway with Mozambique for a Preferential Trade Agreement covering tariff concessions on rice, alongside discussions for a broader Free Trade Agreement with the East African Community, where rice has been prioritised among key commodities.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan has stepped up market development activities. In August 2025, it organised Pakistan Rice Road Shows across Ghana, Cte dIvoire and Senegal, facilitating business-to-business engagement and supply linkages. Pakistan exported 1.23 million tonnes of rice to african countries, focusing Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea and Senegal in CY’25 , as per BigMint.

Policy coordination in Kenya also resulted in a revision of customs valuation, lowering the benchmark FOB price for Pakistani rice from $615 to $460 per metric ton, improving landed price competitiveness and trade viability.

Policy push and export outlook

Under the governments Look Africa Policy, five Single Country Exhibitions were organised across African regions with rice exporters prominently represented. African buyers were also invited to all three editions of the International Food and Agro Exhibition to deepen commercial engagement and diversify demand channels.

Officials say the combined push spanning tariff access, trade diplomacy and market promotion is aimed at expanding export share, strengthening long-term supply relationships and positioning Pakistan more competitively in price-sensitive import markets, particularly across the Gulf and Africa where demand for non-basmati and basmati rice remains structurally strong.

Published Date: February 17, 2026