Observer Report
Nairobi
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has organized Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference on 30th and 31st January 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya. Following dignitaries were present on this occasion: This Conference was attended by huge number of delegates from many countries of the world belong to different business & trade sectors. As Kenya is the largest buyer of Pakistani rice, Pakistani rice sector was given special preference in this conference.
Following members from Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan were present in this Conference. On behalf of REAP, Rafique Suleman, Ex-Chairman REAP has given a presentation on Pakistani rice sector. He said that Pakistan is the 10th largest rice producing country of the world.
Pakistan’s annual rice crop is ranges from 7.0 to 7.5 Million tons. Pakistan is the home land of world’s best basmati & non-basmati rice. Pakistan exports more than 4.0 Million Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$ 2.0 Billion and our rice is being exported to more than 100 countries of the world. Staple diet of Pakistan is wheat and we have a good stock of rice surplus for export purpose only. Currently, rates of rice are increasing in international market, however, Pakistani rice is more competent than other origin rice.
Approx. 25% share of total Pakistani rice exports goes to African countries and Kenya is the largest buyer of Pakistani rice, whereas other 75% share goes to rest of the world. Value of Pakistani rice exports to African countries is approx. 600 Million US Dollars annually. Top African destinations are Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique & Côte d’Ivoire.
