ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rice sector has achieved a major milestone, surpassing Vietnam to become the world’s third-largest rice exporter in September 2026, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to maritime trade routes in the Gulf region.
According to export figures, Pakistan shipped 420,000 tonnes of rice in September, outperforming Vietnam, whose exports stood at 337,000 tonnes during the same period.
The strong performance comes at a time when global trade has faced challenges stemming from US-Iran tensions and shipping disruptions across key Gulf maritime corridors. Nevertheless, international demand for Pakistani rice, particularly premium basmati varieties, remained resilient.
Pakistan’s rice exports continued to gain momentum during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2026-27. From July to September, the volume of rice exports recorded a remarkable 51% increase, reflecting growing demand in international markets.
The country’s foreign exchange earnings from rice exports also posted significant growth during the same period, rising by 37% compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
Industry experts say the surge highlights the competitiveness of Pakistani rice in global markets and underscores the sector’s growing contribution to the national economy. The sustained demand for Pakistani basmati, coupled with expanding export destinations, has helped offset challenges posed by regional instability and logistical constraints.
The latest figures are expected to strengthen confidence in Pakistan’s agricultural export sector and further boost the country’s position in the global rice trade.
