India lockdown lifts Pakistani rice export to Middle East 

KARACHI: Export of Pakistani rice increased in the Middle East after India imposed strict lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Arab News reported.

According to rice exporters, export of Pakistani rice increased by about 59 percent in April 2020. In an interview, Senior Vice Chairman of the Rice Exporters’ Association of Pakistan (REAP) Muhammad Raza said, “The Middle East is the main market of India’s basmati rice.” “When New Delhi decided to impose the lockdown, the orders were diverted to Pakistan.”

According to data available, Pakistan’s rice exports to the Middle East increased by 59 percent to $420 million in April 2020. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and other regional countries remained the destination of Pakistani rice.