KARACHI: Rice export from Pakistan has seen significant growth and crossed $ 1.0 billion by the end of January since July 2017 showing an increase of 29 per cent in value and 15 per cent in quantity.
In a statement here on Friday, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Senior Vice Chairman Rafique Suleman said that Pakistan exported total 2.28 million metric tonnes of rice worth $ 1.06 billion in last seven months, whereas in the same period of last fiscal year the figure was 1.971 million metric tonnes amounting to $ 820 million.
‘We have come out of the crisis. REAP members were making their untiring efforts and doing aggressive marketing to increase the rice exports and to earn valuable foreign exchange for our beloved country Pakistan,’ he re-affirmed.
He was hopeful that this year the set target to export more than 4.0 million metric tonnes of Pakistani rice and would earn $ 2 billion.
Due to the excessive pesticide residue found in Indian rice, India is expected to lose the European market hence REAP had also focused on European countries. This is an excellent opportunity for Pakistani rice exporters to grab EU market, he added.
He also urged the government departments concerned to extend maximum support and facilitation to rice exporters for an increase in their exports to European countries.
REAP leader informed that right now, demand for rice had increased around the globe.
He was satisfied that this year the country had a very good crop in terms of quality and quantity, adding that the prices of Pakistani rice were comparatively cheaper than that of its competitors including Thailand and Vietnam.
