- Rising Gulf demand could strengthen Pakistan’s rice exports
- Expansion driven by non-basmati cultivation may strain water resources
Qatar is exploring higher rice imports from Pakistan as part of efforts to secure long-term food supplies, signalling stronger trade ties between the two countries. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, where both sides emphasised deeper cooperation in agricultural trade.
The interest from Qatar reflects Pakistan’s growing footprint in global rice markets. Strong shipments to Gulf and African destinations have supported Pakistan’s rise as the world’s third-largest rice exporter, behind India and Thailand.
Production expansion raises long-term risks
Pakistan’s rice acreage has expanded by nearly 20% y-o-y as farmers respond to favourable export demand and prices. However, most of the growth has come from non-basmati varieties rather than the country’s premium aromatic basmati grown in the traditional Kallar belt between the Ravi and Chenab rivers.
Industry observers caution that the shift toward non-basmati cultivation could carry long-term risks. These varieties typically require higher irrigation, and the increasing use of solar-powered tube wells is accelerating groundwater extraction. While Pakistan’s rice production is estimated at nearly 11 million tonnes (mnt) against domestic consumption of roughly 2-2.5 mnt, supporting export growth, sustainability concerns could eventually reshape the sector’s trajectory.
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