In October 2025, Pakistan exported 51.24 thousand metric tons (kmt) of broken rice, marking a strong increase from 6.5 kmt in September. Despite this monthly improvement, exports remained below last October’s level, where Pakistan exported 121 kmt broken rice. During the current fiscal year (2025–26), Pakistan has shipped 120 kmt of broken rice, which is nearly half of the volume exported during the same period of last year (230 kmt). Since 2022, Pakistan has consistently exported around 1 million metric tons (mmt) of broken rice annually, but exporters have struggled to maintain this pace this year, as the fiscal year has started weak and quantities have already fallen by about 50% compared to last year.
The lower exports reflect several key factors. Pakistani broken rice faces stiff competition, and exporters cannot secure profitable buyers at current prices. Due to limited demand this year, many rice milling factories are not operating, which further limits the supply available for export. India expects to produce 150 mmt of rice this year and holds substantial carryover stocks. Indian exporters are aggressively offering broken rice at $295/MT, but global demand remains soft despite these significantly lower prices compared to last year. Current local market prices leave Pakistani exporters out of the money, making it difficult for them to compete with Indian offers and resulting in a loss of export volumes.
From 2015 to 2025, Pakistan’s rice exports including both Basmati and non-Basmati varieties remained consistently strong. In fiscal year 2023–24, exporters shipped 6.01 million tons of rice, with non-Basmati rice contributing the majority “the highest share in Pakistan’s history” generating over USD 3.93 billion in export revenue. This year, however, the export streak faces a setback, and Pakistan may not achieve similar volumes unless local rice prices drop to levels that allow exporters to earn a margin. Exporters closely monitor global price movements, and any increase in international rice prices could revive export volumes. Ultimately, Pakistan’s competitiveness against India will determine the pace of rice exports for the rest of the fiscal year.
