Pakistan Rice Festival held in Hungary: minister says govt committed to increasing agri, food exports

Pakistan's embassy in Hungary staged the country's first Pakistan Rice Festival in Budapest, according to the Ministry of Commerce, which announced the event on Saturday. The gathering put basmati rice in front of Hungarian importers, chefs and food industry figures, and it was run together with the commerce ministry and TDAP.

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan praised the debut event, arguing that presenting goods directly to buyers in European capitals is one of the most productive ways to secure new clients. He noted that basmati is among Pakistan's best-known exports and that rising overseas interest in it is a positive sign for growers and exporters. He also said the government intends to widen agro-food shipments, draw investment and build trade links beyond traditional partners.

Ambassador Asif Hussain Memon described basmati as a product with a long heritage, pointing to its Geographical Indication protection as a sign of established quality. Guests watched a live biryani cooking session, sampled Himalayan Pink Salt and received samples of Pakistani rice along with a Hungarian-language recipe booklet. The embassy also invited attendees to FoodAg 2026 at the Expo Centre in Karachi, scheduled for November 23 to 26, 2026.