Pakistan’s rice exports to China jump 70% in Jan–Aug 2025
From January to August 2025, Pakistan’s rice exports to China surged 68.5% to USD 44.31 million, led by semi- and wholly-milled rice. Growth was supported by the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and stronger trader linkages. Floods pose risks, and experts urge investment in value-added products and modern technologies for sustainable growth.
From January to August 2025, Pakistan exported rice worth USD 44.31 million to the Chinese market, up from USD 26.30 million in the same period of 2024. This represents a remarkable increase of 68.5 percent, underlining the strengthening of agricultural cooperation between the two countries and Pakistan’s growing foothold in China’s competitive food sector.
Major Drivers of Growth
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce highlighted that the most notable contributor to the sharp rise was semi- or wholly-milled rice (HS code 10063020). Exports in this category surged to USD 33.67 million in 2025, compared to only USD 5.63 million in the corresponding months of 2024. Meanwhile, exports of broken rice also expanded considerably, reaching USD 7.71 million in the January–August period.
Trade experts attribute this upward trajectory to the competitiveness of Pakistani rice in terms of flavor, quality, and cost-effectiveness, which has made it increasingly attractive to Chinese consumers.
Policy Support and Market Access
The growth has also been supported by the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), which eased market access for Pakistani exporters, along with stronger linkages between traders on both sides. Closer cooperation between exporters and Chinese importers has not only accelerated shipments but also created new opportunities for long-term trade partnerships.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the strong performance, challenges remain. Owais Mir, CEO of Dynamic Engineering & Automation (DEA), cautioned that recent floods in Pakistan have caused severe agricultural losses, which could potentially disrupt supply and weigh on export volumes in the coming months.
Mir further emphasized the need for Pakistan to shift its focus from merely exporting raw agricultural products to producing value-added food items. He suggested that the adoption of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, and learning from China’s advanced agricultural practices could help Pakistan achieve sustainable growth in the sector.
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Source : Minute Mirror
