Pakistan To Miss Rice Output Target

Pakistan's rice output is expected to miss a target of 6 million MT in the 2009-10 financial year, but it will still have 3.8 million MT in exportable surplus.

According to the Chairman of the private Rice Exporters' Association of Pakistan (REAP) Abdul Rahim Janoo, there had been fears of a significant drop in the crop in the face of a delayed monsoon that eventually arrived about two weeks ago and reports suggested an increase in sowing area would offset any impact of less rainfall.

Pakistan was hoping to export up to 4 million MT in 2008-09, but traders said exports suffered following a government decision to buy rice from farmers and enter the export market itself.