Pakistan’s rice exports reached a record 655,000 tonnes during the first two months of the 2026-27 fiscal year, with export earnings rising 25% year-on-year to nearly $392 million, according to data compiled by Arif Habib Limited and figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The country exported around 654,619 metric tonnes of rice worth $391.741 million during July and August, compared with 545,572 tonnes valued at $314.198 million during the same period last year.
Basmati rice recorded particularly strong growth. Exports of the premium variety increased by 43% to around 146,000 tonnes, compared with 102,000 tonnes a year earlier. Basmati export earnings also climbed 53% to approximately $164 million from $107 million.
Exports of other rice varieties rose 15% to about 509,000 tonnes, while earnings increased 10% to $228 million. Overall, rice accounted for around 7.1% of Pakistan’s total exports during the first two months of the fiscal year.
August also showed strong performance. Rice shipments increased 22% year-on-year to 308,000 tonnes, while export earnings jumped 31% to $192 million. Basmati shipments alone rose 58% during the month.
Analysts at Arif Habib Limited attributed the recovery partly to increased rice cultivation, improved water availability and changing farm economics. The figures mark a strong opening for Pakistan’s rice export sector in the new fiscal year.
