Pakistan has achieved a major legal victory in the global battle over basmati rice, after the High Court of New Zealand rejected India’s appeal seeking exclusive certification trademark rights over the term “basmati.” The ruling safeguards Pakistan’s long-recognized status as a legitimate producer and exporter of this world-famous aromatic rice.
The New Zealand High Court upheld the earlier decision of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ), which in July 2024 dismissed an application filed by India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
APEDA had sought to register “basmati” as a certification mark solely for rice grown in India, effectively blocking Pakistani basmati from being sold under that name in New Zealand.
Court Rejects India’s Bid for Exclusive Rights
India first filed its application in February 2019, aiming to dominate the basmati label in New Zealand’s market. However, the High Court agreed with IPONZ that New Zealand consumers do not associate basmati exclusively with India. Instead, the court concluded that “basmati” is commonly understood as a type or style of long-grain aromatic rice, not as a product originating from one country alone.
The court also acknowledged that the Basmati Growing Area spans regions in both Pakistan and India, meaning that any attempt to grant India exclusive certification rights would be unfair and discriminatory. Such a move would have seriously impaired and eroded Pakistani exporters and restricted their capacity to compete in New Zealand’s market.
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Big Boost for Pakistan’s Basmati Rice Exporters
Reacting to the decision, Rafique Suleman, former chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), praised the ruling as a victory based purely on merit. He said India has repeatedly tried to mislead global markets by presenting basmati as an Indian-only product, but this judgment clearly rejects that narrative.
Suleman highlighted that the verdict is not just a legal win but also a major diplomatic and commercial milestone for Pakistan’s rice sector. It protects the livelihood of thousands of farmers, millers, and exporters involved in Pakistan’s basmati value chain and reinforces the country’s identity as a leading producer of premium-quality basmati rice.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Case in Global GI Disputes
The decision is also a morale booster for Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and its Geographical Indications (GI) Cell, which has been actively defending Pakistan’s rights in basmati-related disputes in both Australia and New Zealand.
Suleman noted that the New Zealand High Court’s order repeatedly recognizes Pakistan as a legitimate basmati producer, a crucial acknowledgment that will strengthen Pakistan’s stance in other ongoing international cases where APEDA has lodged similar claims.
For Pakistan, this ruling sends a strong message:
• Basmati is not the monopoly of any single country.
• Pakistan’s historical, cultural, and agricultural link to basmati is internationally recognized.
• Future attempts to sideline Pakistani basmati in global markets will face strong legal and factual resistance.
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Simply it means, this judgment assists in making certain that when consumers around the world pick up a bag of basmati rice, Pakistani exporters will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their competitors — fairly, legally, and proudly.
Basmati originates from Pakistan’s Hafizabad district
India has tried harder to wear away Pakistan’s claim to Basmati rice, despite historical and trade evidence supporting Pakistan’s stance. Experts and historians have established that Basmati originates from Pakistan’s Hafizabad district, a fact that played a crucial role in the recent rulings.
Pakistan’s Basmati rice is highly famous for its distinct aroma, best quality, and competitive pricing. This recognition has intensified the country’s rice exports to an impressive $4 billion, making Pakistan a dominant force in the $27 billion global rice market. Now the demand of this premium-quality Basmati is on the rise.
India, alarmed by Pakistan’s growing export strength, has made continuous efforts to take control of the Basmati trade, but these attempts have backfired. Many exporters give an argument that India does not manufacture authentic Basmati rice.
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Instead, Pakistani Basmati is frequently shipped to Dubai, where Indian traders repackage and rebrand it as their own before selling it in global markets. This deceptive practice has been widely criticized and further weakens India’s credibility in the ownership battle.
Historical data further reinforces Pakistan’s claim—records submitted to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reveal that India had not exported a single grain of Basmati before 1965, whereas Pakistan had already been supplying it to European and Gulf markets since the 1960s. This undeniable fact serves as a critical blow to India’s attempts to claim ownership of Basmati.
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