Rice.

Pakistan being an agro-based economy has natural abundance of various agricultural products including food grains of which rice is an important food and cash crop cultivated on about 2.5 million hectares representing over 20% of the total cropped area (food grains) in Pakistan. The importance of rice trade in Pakistan can be judged by its significant contribution in achieving the export targets of Pakistan by being the second largest export commodity after textile and placing Pakistan in the top 5 rice exporting countries of the World.

Although, the production of rice in Pakistan has remained static at around 5 million tons annually but the export earnings have increased two told in the last 3-4 years from US$ 570 million to US$ 2.0 Billion, which was only possible by building up the perception of Pakistani rice in general and cashing on the superiority of Basmati in particular. The task required unified, consolidated, consistent and innovative campaign and efforts at all levels from the stage of growing/cultivation of rice to its husking/processing and milling to better marketing and achieving standardization.

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Rice maintained its first position in its groups during the year July--June, (2010--11) as the same position in July--June, (2009--10). Its share decreased to 8.71% from 11.34% as compared to same period of last year. During July--June, (2010--11) its exports amounted to Rs. 184,674.60 million as against the exports of Rs. 183,370.30million during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 0.71 percent. U.A.E was the leading buyer of rice during July--June (2010--11) with its share of 15.06% in the total exports of this item. Other major buyers were Saudi Arabia (5.73%), Afghanistan (5.66%), Oman (5.20%), Kenya (4.59%), Iran (4 50%) and Bangladesh (3.97%) These seven countries accounted for 44.71% of total exports of rice during this period. Exports of rice to major countries during July--June, (2010--11) and the corresponding period of last year are given below:--Average unit price of Rice Basmati for July--June, (2010--11) of current financial year was Rs. 70,318.80 per tonne as against Rs. 69,527.36 for the same period of last year showing a rise of 1.14 percent.

The average unit price of rice "Other Varieties" for July--June, (2010--11) at Rs. 40,953.13per tonne higher by 15.50% compared to average unit price of Rs 35,457.20 per tonne for the same period of last year. Variety-wise exports of rice in terms of quantity and value are given below:-

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Exports of Rice by Major Countries

(Quantity in tonnes) (Value in million Rs.)

Commodity        July--    (2010--11)  July-June,  (2009--10)
                 June.       Value      Quantity      Value
               Quantity

Total          3,670,037   184,674.60   4,179,717   183,370.30

1. U.A.E.        424,562    27,816.88     398,845    23,465.07

2. Saudi         172,666    10,573.35     193,251    10,734.79
Arabia

3.               190,693    10,444.07     219,544     9,440.21
Afghanistan

4. Oman          135,445     9,602.56      96,878     6,445.57

5. Kenya         213,683     8,482.76     324,423    10,261.02

6. Iran              of)     8,307.74     246,945    12,886.95
(Islamic Rep.    163,198
of)

7. Bangladesh    199,267     7,337.22     151,964     4,773.87
Others         2,170,523   102,110.01   2,547,867   105,362.83

Exports of Rice Varity

(Quantity in tonnes.) (Value in million Rs.)

Variety/period        Quantity     Value       Unit value
                                             (Rs. Per tonne)

Rice Basmati

July-June, (2010-11)  1,170,588   82,314.34        70,318.80

July-June, (2009-10)  1,032,259   71,770.24        69,527.36

Rice other varieties

July-June, (2010-11)  2,499,449  102.360.26        40,953.13

July-June, (2009-10)  3,147,458  111,600.06        35,457.20