Global Trade in Aromatic Basmati Rice

India and Pakistan collectively share the entire global Basmati rice trade, with India positioned as the largest exporter, securing a 70% share, and the remaining 30% by Pakistan. During the 2024–25 financial year, India exported over 6.07 million metric tonnes of Basmati rice valued at USD 5.94 billion to more than 100 countries worldwide. The state of Punjab alone accounts for nearly 40% of India’s Basmati exports, while other key exporting states include Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has played a pivotal role in fostering Basmati rice exports through strategic partnerships with various stakeholders. India’s Basmati rice is exported primarily to Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America; apart from these, its reach extends globally. Trend analysis indicates a robust growth trajectory for India’s Basmati exports, with export value increasing by 1.73% in 2024–25 compared to the previous year, accompanied by a 16% rise in export volume . However, instability in export value was observed during the last two decades due to inconsistent export value. Pakistan, the second-largest exporter, shipped approximately 1.0 million tonnes of Basmati rice in 2024–25 to markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, China, the UK, Kazakhstan, the USA, and Kenya at an average price of USD 900 per ton. Comparative data from 2019–20 to 2024–25 confirms India’s dominant position in the aromatic Basmati rice export market, driven in part by constrained supplies from Pakistan and growing demand from international buyers during the latest period. This dynamic highlights India’s expanding global footprint in the Basmati rice trade and underscores the competitive landscape within this niche agricultural commodity.