A few days ago, a report from UkrAgroConsult went viral on social media, claiming that New Zealand and Australia had officially recognized Basmati rice as a Pakistani product. The report also suggested that a similar decision in favor of Pakistan was expected from the European Union (EU).
On February 18, some Pakistani media outlets reported that after New Zealand and Australia, the EU had also granted Basmati rice ownership to Pakistan instead of India. (Archived link)
Another Pakistani media platform, The Better Pakistan, shared this claim on its Instagram page. (Archived link)
This news was also circulated on X (formerly Twitter) by several Pakistani handles.
One Pakistani handle wrote, “Pakistan secures global recognition for Basmati rice ownership.” (Archived link)
Pakistan secures global recognition for Basmati rice ownership https://t.co/bBeevxQEZ1
— Maaria Waseem (@maaria_waseem) February 20, 2025
Another account, Emerging Pakistan, posted, “Pakistan secures global recognition for Basmati rice ownership. A victory for heritage and export potential.” (Archived link)
🇵🇰 Pakistan secures global recognition for Basmati Rice ownership! A victory for heritage and export potential.#EmergingPakistan #BasmatiRice #GlobalRecognition #PakistaniPride pic.twitter.com/noV8yigzcl
— Emerging Pakistan (@Emergingpk) February 20, 2025
A different handle claimed, “Basmati rice officially recognized as a Pakistani product. After a long dispute with India, the Geographical Indication (GI) rights of Basmati rice have been awarded to Pakistan. A significant win for Pakistan’s agricultural export.” (Archived link)
Basmati Rice officially recognized as a Pakistani product! After a long dispute with India, the Geographical Indication (GI) rights of Basmati rice have been awarded to #Pakistan. A significant win for Pakistan's agricultural exports! #ChampionsTrophy #4elements #Trump #F175LIVE pic.twitter.com/fRlgzjMeRM
— سرکاری ملازم (@HimayatReborn) February 19, 2025
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Fact Check
We first conducted a keyword search to verify whether the EU had granted ownership of Basmati rice to Pakistan. However, we did not find any reports on credible sources confirming this claim. This news was only circulated by Pakistani media outlets, and we could not find it on any Indian or international media websites.
On the contrary, we found a Times of India report from February 15, which states that India has rebutted reports from Pakistan which claims that New Zealand and Australia had recognized Basmati rice as a Pakistani product. According to Indian officials, The Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (APEDA)—a body under the Indian government—holds the logo mark registration for Basmati rice in New Zealand, whereas Pakistan has no such registration.
The EU has not granted ownership of Basmati rice to either country. Instead, Pakistan granted Basmati rice Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status within its own jurisdiction. On January 27, 2021, Pakistan’s Commerce Advisor, Abdul Razak Dawood, announced that Basmati rice was granted GI status under the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act 2020. This means that the status applies only within Pakistan and not globally.
However, Pakistan’s attempt to secure PGI status for Basmati rice in the EU faced significant challenges. In September 2024, the EU rejected Pakistan’s PGI application after Italy and other EU member states raised objections.
Both India and Pakistan claim Basmati rice as their traditional product, and both countries have repeatedly sought official recognition for their rights over it. However, neither country has been granted exclusive rights so far, and the issue remains a subject of debate in international trade discussions.
In conclusion, Basmati rice is a product of both India and Pakistan, and ownership has not been granted to either country. Therefore, the viral social media claims about Pakistan securing EU recognition for Basmati rice rights are fake.
| Claim | The viral social media claim states that the European Union (EU), along with New Zealand and Australia, has officially recognized Basmati rice as a Pakistani product, granting Pakistan ownership over it. |
| Claimed by | Pakistan media reports |
| Fact Check | The claim is false. There is no credible evidence from Indian or international media supporting it. The EU has not granted ownership of Basmati rice to either India or Pakistan. |
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