By Khawaja Hamza
NEW YORK – A high-level delegation of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), led by Chairman Faisal Jahangir, visited the United States from May 7–9, 2026 to explore new opportunities for increasing Pakistan’s rice exports and strengthening commercial ties with American importers and distributors.
The delegation began its engagements in New York with a targeted market visit to key importers and distributors in Maspeth, Queens. Accompanied by Consul General of Pakistan in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai and Trade & Investment Counsellor Adnan Mahmood Awan, the delegation held meetings with several leading U.S.-based firms, including Advance Foods, New Reliance Traders, AGP & Sons Inc., South Asian Food Inc., Fatima Foods, Zara Foods, and Bawarchi.
Pakistan, internationally recognized for its premium Basmati and long-grain rice varieties, aims to further strengthen its position in the competitive U.S. market. During the meetings, U.S. importers and distributors shared insights on pricing competitiveness, quality expectations, and compliance requirements, while both sides explored ways to enhance supply linkages and expand trade cooperation.
In a related initiative, the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York hosted a networking event in honor of the REAP delegation, bringing together more than 25 prominent importers and distributors from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Participants included representatives from Best Foods, Diamond Foods, AKC Commodities, Shata Traders, Deep Foods, AGP & Sons, and Advance Foods, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai highlighted Pakistan’s strong export potential in the rice sector and underscored the importance of deepening commercial partnerships with U.S. businesses. Trade & Investment Counsellor Adnan Mahmood Awan outlined the delegation’s objectives, focusing on expanding market access, addressing trade barriers, and building long-term business partnerships.
The discussions centered on market challenges, including pricing trends and regulatory compliance, while the REAP delegation reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining international quality standards and ensuring reliable supply chains.
The visit and networking engagements reflect Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote its high-quality agricultural exports and strengthen trade relations with the United States.
