Islamabad pushes new markets in Africa, Central Asia and Far East to sustain trade flows

Pakistan is accelerating efforts to diversify rice exports toward Africa, Central Asia and Far East markets as regional trade disruptions linked to the Iran–US conflict impact shipping routes, logistics costs and export timelines.

KARACHI, April 20, 2026 – The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has expressed strong optimism regarding the cooling of tensions in the Middle East, attributing the positive shift to Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic efforts. According to REAP, this newfound regional stability could serve as a massive catalyst for national trade, potentially driving Pakistan’s total exports to a staggering $100 billion within the next three years.

Karachi, January 31, 2026 – The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has strongly welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recently announced relief and reform package, terming it a timely and much-needed boost for exporters and the industrial sector.

Islamabad, January 18, 2026 – Pakistan’s rice exports plunged 50% during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26 (July–December), declining to $940 million from $1.88 billion in the same period last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Karachi, December 25, 2025 — Pakistan’s rice exports have witnessed a sharp decline of 49% during the first five months (July–November) of the fiscal year 2025-26 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Karachi, December 13, 2025 — The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has raised serious concerns over substantial losses to the country’s rice exports as the ongoing transporters’ strike continues to paralyze cargo movement nationwide.