Rice is the 2nd main staple food crop after wheat and the 2^nd major exportable commodity after cotton in Pakistan. It contributes 3.2% of value added in agriculture and 0.6% to GDP. In the fiscal year 2020, Pakistan produced 7.4 million tons of rice annually. More than 4 million tons were sent to other countries and the remaining rice was consumed within Pakistan. The rice Pakistan sells makes up over 8% of all the rice traded worldwide and Pakistan is the 10th largest producer of rice in the world. According to data analyzed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, from July to December 2023, the country exported rice worth $1.63 billion, a noteworthy increase from $927 million during the same period in 2022, showing a growth of 76.5%.

The main countries involved in rice exports are Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Pakistan is in direct competition with India while Thailand and Vietnamese rice are also considered premium. In the heart of Pakistan, some special group of successful rice farmers stands out in the lush green fields of Lahore, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Multan, and Sialkot. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled a list of the top 7 Rice Exporters in Pakistan that supply their Basmati and Non-Basmati rice nationally and internationally. Their strong commitment and constant pursuit of excellence turn Pakistan’s fertile land into a continuous source of food and happiness for the whole world. Also, take a look into best tea brands in Pakistan.

List of Top 7 Largest Rice Export Companies in Pakistan

Here is the list of the top 7 Rice companies of Pakistan that export their premium quality rice globally, listed as

Garibsons

Garibsons is Pakistan’s largest exporter of premium quality rice founded by two brothers named Farooq and Hamid Garib, headquartered in Karachi. Garibsons (Pvt.) Ltd. is a family-owned business started in 1976. This company is a BRC and Halal-certified company. In 2018, the Garibsons proudly had three generations of the family involved in executive management, supervising and expanding the business operations. Today, Garibsons is the largest exporter of premium quality rice in Pakistan and deals with more than 100 countries internationally. Mughal Rice and Mughal Flour are also sub-brands of Garibsons and are available in stores throughout Pakistan. Today, Garibsons has four main business units which include Rice, Wheat Flour, Hybrid Seeds, and Wood which can be used to make high quality furniture. Take a look into best furniture brands in Pakistan. The company offers an extensive variety of rice products, including basmati rice, IRRI rice, and parboiled rice. Additionally, GPL also produces its custom brand of rice called ‘Mughal’, which you can buy in stores like Makro, Metro, Carrefour and other major retail outlets all over Pakistan.

Google rating (4.4)

List of Rice Products Exported by Garibsons

Matco Foods

Matco Foods Limited is a leading food processing and export company in Pakistan, founded in 1964. They provide packed consumer food products that provide convenience and supply quality ingredients to pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan and confectionery industries. Their famous products include rice glucose, rice protein, basmati rice, broken rice, white long-grain rice, steam basmati, parboiled, and other by-products. Matco Rice Processing Pvt. Ltd was created by a visionary industrialist Syed Sarfaraz Ali Ghori and headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. As the chief basmati rice exporter from Pakistan, they have over 60 years of experience in the rice industry and more than 150 corporate customers, with their flagship brand Falak sold in over 65 countries globally. They distribute their IRRI rice and Basmati rice through the Falak brand. In 1970, they established their first rice processing plant in Larkana, Sindh. In 1980, Matco Rice started operations to serve as an agent or representative of Satake Japan, in Pakistan.

Google rating (4.3)

List of Rice Products Exported by Matco Foods

• Falak (the Flagship Brand)
• Basmati Rice
• Non-Basmati Rice
• Organic Rice
• Rice Syrup
• Rice Protein
• Maltodextrin / Syrup Solids
• Dextrose Monohydrate

K.K. Group of Companies

The K.K. family has been trading cereals and grains for three generations based in Karachi, Pakistan. K.K. Group of Companies is expanding its business under the guidance of late Mr. Keso Kewlani, a visionary and humble person. He was a famous businessman and philanthropist in Interior Sindh and founded this company in 1967. The company was established with a big goal to achieve perfection in the grain processing industry. It has grown quickly and is now a prominent name in the commodities field. Today, Chela Ram Kewlani serves as the CEO of K.K. Group of Companies. They export multiple rice varieties which include – IRRI-6 Long Grain White/Parboiled Rice, IRR-9 Long Grain White/Parboiled Rice, PK-386 Biryani White Rice/Parboiled Rice, Basmati Rice Varieties, 1121 White Rice/Parboiled Rice, Brown Basmati Rice and D-98 White Rice/Parboiled Rice. They accomplish their mission through their commitment to strategic growth, top-quality products, nonstop improvement and maintaining a close relationship with clients.

Google rating (4.5)

List of Rice Products Exported by K.K. Group of Companies

• Non-Basmati Rice Varieties
• IRRI-6 Long Grain White/Parboiled Rice
• IRR-9 Long Grain White/Parboiled Rice
• PK-386 Biryani White Rice/Parboiled Rice
• Basmati Rice Varieties
• 1121 White Rice/Parboiled Rice
• 1509 White Rice/Parboiled Rice
• Super Kernel Basmati/Parboiled
• Brown Basmati Rice
• D-98 White Rice/Parboiled Rice

Barkat Rice Mills

Barkat Rice Mills is a project of the FSL Group of companies, an elite group involved in the rice business since 1964. This premium company is one of the leading exporters of Basmati Rice in Pakistan headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan. Today, Mr. Karim Aziz Malik serves as the CEO of BRM and controls all rice export operations. The main reason for their success has been a relentless focus on the quality of their product. BRM has gained customer trust and loyalty by providing rice that is free from all food hazards. They follow all quality and environmental standards (ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015), ensure food safety (FSSC 22000 & HACCP), and provide certified food products (BRC). Their management and supervisory staff are experts in quality and food safety. Barkat Rice mostly deals in top-quality Super Basmati Rice (white, brown, and parboiled). The company maintains sizeable stocks of these rice varieties throughout the year to provide consistent quality to customers at fairly stable rates.

Google rating (4.4)

List of Rice Products Exported by Barkat Rice Mills

Basmati Rice

• Kaalar Premium Basmati Rice
• Super Kernel Basmati Rice
• Royal Basmati Rice
• Crown Basmati Rice

Siddiqia Rice Mills

Siddiqia Rice Mill introduces itself as the leading rice exporter located in the Heart of Punjab near Sundar Real Estate, Punjab. They stepped into the rice business in 1985 and with un-flagging efforts started to export in 2006. The company’s name is after their beloved father (Late) Mr. M. Siddique. During this prolonged period, a well-skilled team of professionals was hired to meet the standards of international marketing. They export their premium Basmati and Non-Basmati rice which include 1121 Steam Basmati, 1121 Parboiled Basmati, PK 386 Basmati, PK 1509 Basmati, Irri 6, and Irri 9. Their long-grain rice is known for its delicate aroma, fluffy texture, and exceptional taste. For more than 25 years SRM has been offering its local and global clientele fine quality rice. SRM’s goal is to meet the needs of people not only in one specific area but all around the world.

See more: Best Frozen Food Brands in Pakistan

Google rating (3.7)

List of Rice Products Exported by Siddiqia Rice Mills

• 1121 Steam Basmati
• 1121 Parboiled Basmati
• PK 386 Basmati
• PK 1509 Basmati
• Irri 6
• Irri 9

Meskay & Femtee

Meskay & Femtee Trading Company (MFTC) is a premium grain trading, milling and processing company headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. As a chief export company for rice, wheat and other grains, they prioritize social responsibility and sustainability in all of their business practices. In 2000-01, Meskay & Femtee (Pvt.) Limited exported 75,000 M/Tons of rice globally. They earned recognition from the Export Promotion Bureau and received the Trophy of Excellence from Federal Minister Mr. Razak Dawood. Today, they have traded about 75,000 M/tons of basmati and non-basmati rice to overseas markets. Meskay & Femtee is dedicated to producing Halal, healthy, and safe rice products. They adhere to Halal, national and international food safety and quality standards to meet these requirements. They receive FPCCI trophy (2014-2015) and ISO certification (2016-2018). Read more about Top 7 ISO Certification Companies in Pakistan

Google rating (4.8)

List of Rice Varieties Exported by Meskay & Femtee

• 1121 Extra Long Grain Parboiled Rice
• 1121 Extra Long Grain Rice
• D-98 Basmati Rice
• PK-386 Long Grain Rice
• C-9 Long Grain Rice
• Super Kernel Basmati Rice
• Super Kernel Basmati Parboiled
• IRRI-6 Long Grain 100% Broken
• IRRI-9 Long Grain Parboiled Rice
• IRRI-6 Long Grain 5% Broken

Galaxy Rice Mills

Galaxy Rice is a rice mill located in Gujranwala. Galaxy Rice Mill started as a government-owned rice milling facility called Doaba Rice Mills in 1974. There were originally six mills under the name Doaba Rice Mills named after the fertile land between the Ravi and Chenab rivers in Punjab known as Doaba means “two waters”. These mills were set up to create a direct market for local farmers allowing them to supply rice paddy directly to the mills. All six Doaba Mills including one that later became Galaxy Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd which were privatized in 1992. Since then, it has become a significant player in the export market, especially in Europe. The mill uses imported machines to produce rice that meets global standards. Galaxy Rice has a dynamic management team and they support their staff in gaining on-the-job qualifications through a company sponsored scheme.

Google rating (4.2)

List of Rice Varieties Exported by Galaxy Rice Mills

• IRRI-9 Par Boiled Long Grain Rice
• Super Kernel Par Boiled Extra Long
• PK 198 / D98 Long Grain Basmati
• PK-385 Long Grain Basmati
• IRRI-6 Long Grain Basmati
• IRRI-9 Long Grain Basmati
• Super Kernel Basmati
• Broken Rice

Ranking Pakistan’s 7 Premier Rice Export Companies

A brief description of each of the seven companies is given below.

Final Words

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistical data conclude that Pakistan’s main area for growing original basmati rice is in the Kalar bowl between the Ravi and Chenab rivers. Almost all the basmati rice is grown in the Punjab province, where they produced 2.47 million metric tons in 2010. In the heart of Pakistan, some successful rice farmers in Lahore, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Multan, and Sialkot stand out in growing and exporting basmati rice. Our Tashheer research team compiled a list of the top 7 Rice Exporters in Pakistan that supplying Basmati and Non-Basmati rice globally. Their hard work under th radiant sun turns Pakistan’s fertile land into a continuous source of food and happiness worldwide.