Opportunity beckons: Exploring China as rice export market

The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

Considering the surplus after meeting domestic consumption of 2.5 million tons, Pakistan is ready to export 3.75 million tons rice annually to China.

According to Pak China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi, China has emerged as one of the destinations for Pakistani rice exports, as reflected in the 244% increase in rice exports to the country during the last two years.

“The PCJCCI has initiated a move to double the exports to China within a year,” said Afridi while talking to Ruidalong Import and Export Company China’s Chairman Alex Pan. “The dream of exporting around 10 million tons of irri-6 rice to China could turn into reality if sustained efforts to market Pakistani rice to China are pursued, focusing on the need of the Chinese population.”

He said new hybrid rice varieties are being developed in Pakistan which would give maximum yield by utilising minimum input costs during water scarcity. The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. Under this technique, if farmers succeed in setting up 80,000 plants in a field, they will get more production besides saving input costs up to Rs14,000 per acre. This technique is not only cheaper but also helps save 30-35 % irrigation water.

“The response of Chinese importers for Pakistani rice is overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Our rice industry is not showing its full potential due to some internal barriers related to planning and strategic implementations. Viewing the current scenario, rice exporters deserve the patronage of government at par with textile industry to develop rice export as one of the major foreign-exchange- earning sector.”

The PCJCCI is going to launch a concrete drive to market Pakistani rice in China by creating a personalised demand among Chinese people. The body is exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice. Chinese buyers prefer to buy the rice with good milling quality. Hence, the PCJCCI will manage match making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to increase the demand of Pakistani rice in China.