Rice Exports Surge Amidst Record Harvest, Expected to Reach $4 Billion

Islamabad: The country's robust rice production of 9 million tonnes has resulted in the export of 5 million tonnes valued at $3.5 billion from Pakistan. 

Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Chellaram Kewali, projected that Pakistan's rice exports will hit $4 billion by year-end. 

Kewali emphasized that the rice sector now ranks as Pakistan's second-largest export industry after textiles and highlighted opportunities for Pakistani rice exporters in emerging markets such as Mexico, Russia, and the Philippines.

However, challenges arose due to delays in shipping caused by the transit and Red Sea crisis. Approximately 1,300 containers of rice were stranded, potentially incurring $7 million in duties if not resolved. 

Former REAP Chairman Rafiq Sulaiman disclosed that Kenya has extended duty-free import allowances for an additional 500,000 tonnes of rice until November, despite previous shipment disruptions. 

Sulaiman reported that despite obstacles, a record 98,000 tonnes of rice were exported, attributing delays to the Red Sea crisis and increased demand in Kenya due to crop losses from heavy rains.