Pakistan poised to exceed India in basmati rice exports

India is expected to witness a decrease in its exports of basmati rice in 2024 as Pakistan gears up to seize the global market with its competitive pricing amidst an increase in production.

Both countries, long-standing rivals, are renowned exporters of rice celebrated for their distinctive fragrance and elongated grains, catering to markets including the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran.

In 2023, India experienced an 11.5 percent rise in rice exports, shipping 4.9 million metric tons of grain and generating a record revenue of $5.4 billion.

This surge came at a time when Pakistan encountered production challenges.

“Last year, buyers were hustling to stock up when Pakistan was facing production issues. This year, however, Pakistan offers lower prices than India due to increased production,” Vijay Setia, an exporter hailing from the state of Haryana in India, informed Reuters.

Forecasts anticipate Pakistan’s rice exports to soar to 5 million tons in the ongoing fiscal year of 2023–24, surpassing the 3.7 million tons exported in the previous financial year.

Notably, Iran, the largest importer of Indian basmati rice, slashed its purchases by 36% in 2023.

Reports indicate that Indian rice exporters struggle to remain competitive, particularly after the government imposed a minimum export price of $1,200 per ton, exceeding the previous MEP of $950 set in October.

This pricing constraint poses a challenge for Indian exporters seeking to maintain their foothold in the global rice market.

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