Rice exports from Pakistan have seen a sizeable growth of overall 31% in the 11 months of current fiscal year 2017-2018. This statement was given by Mr. Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), while talking with news reporters.
He shared the figures of rice exports during the period of July to May 2018. He said that at the end of May 2018, rice exports for fiscal year 2017-18 (July to May 2018) a significant growth of 31% has been observed as compared to Last fiscal year 2016-17 (July to May 2017).
He said that this year we exported Total 3.51 Million Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$. 1.74 Billion, whereas last fiscal year in the same period we had exported 2.97 Million Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$.1.32 Billion, which shows over all a significant growth of 31% in terms values and 18% in terms of quantity.
He was pleased to inform that by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have come out of the crisis which we have been observing since few years. Further due to the coordination of REAP Office Bearers with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Customs, value of rice export trade is showing improvement which is a good sign for our country. Only Basmati rice exports showing 35% increase in value for the said term. Further, this growth was also become possible due to the recent two tenders of Indonesian authority BULOG for total 200,000 Metric tons of Pakistani rice, which fetched a remarkable foreign exchange for our country.
Rafique has shown serious concerns on the recent news about shortage of water. He said that other countries like Thailand, Vietnam, China etc avail 2-3 rice crops in a year and their annual production of rice is approx. 100 Million Tons, whereas our annual rice production is hardly 7 Million Tons, that is why our rice export is stagnant to approx. 4 Million Tons since last many years. As per our information during this year, hybrid rice is being frown in maximum areas, whose yield is far better than conventional rice seeds.
He said that we get waters from Mountains and rivers but approx. 20% share of water has been wasted in sea every year and we have to take preventive measures on war footing basis to save this water. Many countries constructs dams every year to save the water but in our country construction of very important Kala Bagh Dam has been delayed since many decades. This Dam is very instrumental for the growth of our country’s economy. We can preserve the water and like other countries, we can also get more than One Crop of rice per years which will make revolution in our agricultural industry. We may generate huge quantity of very low cost electricity which will be useful to cover the shortfall of energy crisis of our country. Every province of the country will be able to get additional millions of acre feet water after the construction of Kala Bagh dam.
He added that as per the international experts next war will be spread over water, rice and other food items. Therefore, it is the need of hour that government of Pakistan should allow rice sowing in more lands, so that we can get more rice and we will be able to export more rice to get more foreign exchange.
He added that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their extra ordinary efforts for fetching valueable foreign exchange for the growth of economy of our beloved country and making huge investment for installing world’s latest rice machinery and most modern technology for value addition in rice. REAP has already requested State Bank of Pakistan for allowing Islamic Financing facility for storage of Agricultural produce, so that maximum Rice Exporters may get benefit of this facility.
He informed that REAP is continuously sending trade delegation to various countries for the forceful marketing of Pakistani rice. In this regard, a delegation is planned to visit Brazil, Argentine and Chili under the leadership of Ch. Sami, Chairman. Whereas another delegation is planned to visit West African countries led by Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP.
