Weak Pakistani market chain has not been able to register its Basmati rice in Middle East (ME), while Indian rice, due to its label of 'Super Basmati', has captured greater market share there as compared to Pakistan.

Indian traders' lobby operating in the Middle East, hitting Pakistan below the belt, is branding Pakistani rice as low quality produce, sources told Business Recorder. They said that this campaign was working to Indian expectations as majority of distributors and wholesalers in that region are Indian and they are working against Pakistan's interests.

The Food and Agriculture Ministry in Islamabad has nothing but to blame weak Pakistani chain in ME for causing a loss of more than $300 million to Pakistan's exporters. India had registered its Basmati rice as the 'super basmati' of Pakistan and the Indian commerce ministry had permitted its rice exporters to export Indian basmati as 'super basmati' rice.

After getting it registered, India started vigorous marketing in the region. As Pakistan has not registered its basmati rice till now, the Indian rice there, due to its label of 'super basmati rice' is being sold at high price. The registration of basmati rice in India and its export to Middle East and other markets is hurting Pakistani exporters.

Sources said that Pakistani rice in Dubai is being sold at half the price that of Indian rice. According to sources, ME has officially waived the upper price limit for rice of all countries, but this rule is being applied to Pakistan only. "India is doing good marketing of its rice as it is being sold at double price as compared to Pakistani rice in ME.

Sources said that Pakistan government has taken up this issue with the government of Dubai. So, in this respect, a delegation from Pakistan, led by Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, would visit Dubai in the coming days.

Business Recorder