Pakistan is really good at exporting rice to countries. People usually talk about Basmati rice. There are two other kinds of rice that are really popular too: A6 rice and A9 rice. These kinds of rice are not Basmati rice. They are still really well liked in many countries. People like them because they are not too expensive they are always of quality and they smell really good.
If you want to start exporting rice you should think about A6 rice and A9 rice. They are easy to find easy to sell. You can start selling a lot of them really quickly.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about A6 rice and A9 rice. You will learn about the types of A6 rice and A9 rice which countries buy the most A6 rice and A9 rice where to find A6 rice and A9 rice in Pakistan what papers you need to export A6 rice and A9 rice and how Pakistan compares to other countries, like India, Vietnam and Thailand when it comes to exporting rice.
Why A6 and A9 Rice Are a Good Export Option
Rice is easy to sell to countries. People always want to buy rice. Pakistans A6 and A9 rice are cheaper than types like 1121 Basmati or Super Basmati. That’s why buyers from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe keep coming
Understanding A6 Rice
A6 rice comes in forms. Each form is good, for markets and buyers. The main types are:
- Raw A6 rice
- White A6 rice
- Parboiled A6 rice
- Broken A6 rice
- Long grain A6 rice
- A6 Sela rice
- Organic A6 rice
Four types of A6 rice are mostly exported. White A6 rice is the exported. Then comes long grain A6 rice, parboiled A6 rice and broken A6 rice. If you want to export A6 rice focus on these four types. They already have buyers.
Top Countries That Buy A6 Rice
Pakistans A6 rice goes to countries. Some of these countries are Afghanistan, Georgia, Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, Togo, the United Arab Emirates and Japan. The biggest buyers are Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Italy and Malaysia. These countries buy the A6 rice. They are places to start looking for buyers.
Understanding A9 Rice Varieties
A9 rice is similar to A6 rice. It has its own popular types.
These are the kinds of A9 rice:
- Raw A9 rice
- White A9 rice
- Parboiled A9 rice
- A9 Sela rice
- Long grain A9 rice
- Broken A9 rice
- Super A9 rice
Among these A9 rice types white A9 rice is the most exported. Then comes A9 Sela rice. After that steamed or parboiled A9 rice. These three types of A9 rice are exported the most.
Top Export Destinations for A9 Rice
When we talk about A9 rice Afghanistan buys the most. Then Saudi Arabia buys a lot of A9 rice. After these two countries people in Greece, Yemen the United Arab Emirates and Oman also buy A9 rice. If you are selling A9 rice you should talk to buyers in these countries first.
HS Code, for A9 Rice
For shipping and customs papers A9 rice is given the code 10063190. You need to have this code when you are sending A9 rice to countries.
Pakistans Competition in the Global Non-Basmati Rice Market
Pakistan is not alone in the -basmati rice market. To price and position your product correctly you need to understand who you’re up against. The top five competitors in -basmati rice exports are:
- India. India is the biggest exporter of non-basmati rice. Their rice varieties, like A6 and A9 are sold at competitive prices. They focus on Africa and Asia where people’re more careful with their money and are very sensitive to prices.
- Vietnam. Vietnam is a player and their rice is similar to aromatic varieties like A6. This gives them a position in African and Middle Eastern markets.
- Thailand. Thailand is known for its quality non-basmati rice, especially Jasmine rice. They sell it all around the world.
- Myanmar. Myanmar is a competitor, especially in long-grain non-basmati rice. They compete directly with exports.
- Cambodia. Cambodias rice industry is growing fast. They are increasingly competing with Pakistan in African markets.
The competition is tough. Pakistans A6 and A9 rice varieties are still doing well because of their quality, pricing and established trade relationships.
Where to Buy A6 and A9 Rice in Pakistan
If you’re looking to export rice you have two options: buying directly from farmers or landowners or buying from a mill owner.
Buying directly from farmers means you’ll have to handle processing, milling and preparation yourself. This can be time-consuming especially if you’re new to the business.
Buying from a mill owner is usually the choice for new exporters. Mills that do their processing understand what international markets need. They’ll take care of cleaning, polishing, packing and loading the rice into containers for you. You just need to arrange the container and let the mill handle the rest.
Key Sourcing Regions
Sindh province is where most Irri Sela and Irri 9 rice is grown. In Sindh you can source quantities directly from producers and mills in:
- Larkana
- Jacobabad
- Shikarpur
If you’re in Karachi you can also find a lot of rice supplies in the Port Qasim area. A quick Google search for rice suppliers in your area can connect you with mills and dealers. Most are happy to share their contact details on WhatsApp.
Beyond Sindh Sheikhupura and Gujranwala, in Punjab are also known for growing high-quality Irri rice varieties. These can be alternative sourcing hubs.
Documents Needed to Export A6 and A9 Rice from Pakistan
To export rice from Pakistan you need documents:
- A registered company. Your business must be registered to export rice.
- FOEMI (Foreign Exchange Outward Remittance). Your bank will help you with this during customs clearance.
- Invoice and Packing List. You prepare these; you can find templates online.
- Bill of Lading. This proves you shipped the rice.
- Certificate of Origin. This confirms the rice was grown and processed in Pakistan.
- REAP Membership. You must be a member of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan. Include your REAP number on rice bags.
- Phytosanitary Certificate. This ensures the rice meets health and safety standards.
Calculating Export Price
To price your rice consider costs, like processing, packing, transportation and shipping. A pricing calculator can help you get the price right and save time when quoting buyers. Use a calculator to add up your expenses and get a price. This helps you stay competitive and make a profit. Rice export price depends on these costs so make sure you include them. A structured calculator makes it easy to get the price right.
Final Thoughts
A6 and A9 rice are options for getting into Pakistans export business. There is demand from countries like Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Greece. Also it’s easy to source from mills in Sindh and Punjab. If you get the paperwork, supplier relationships and pricing right new exporters can make a profit.
If you’re new, to exporting or want to expand your product line learning about the types of rice, target markets and competition will help. This knowledge will give you a base to connect with buyers and export Pakistans rice worldwide. A6 and A9 rice have a lot of potential and understanding their varieties and markets is key.