Pakistan stops rice fumigation to boost exports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has moved to stop domestic fumigation of methyl bromide on rice exports, shifting the process to importing countries to align with global standards and reduce trade disruptions in Europe.

The decision, made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, is expected to lower export costs, making Pakistani rice more competitive internationally. Authorities will also implement stricter scientific monitoring of import conditions within two weeks to prevent further interceptions.

The Ministry of National Food Security & Research also pledged to dismantle the so-called spray mafia and crack down on corruption in the agricultural trade. The reforms aim to bolster Pakistan’s credibility as a reliable rice exporter while addressing longstanding demands from the Rice Exporters Association.

Rice exports are a critical source of foreign exchange for Pakistan, particularly the aromatic Basmati variety, which enjoys strong demand in the EU and other global markets. In the last fiscal year, 2023-24, total rice exports stood at $3.93 billion, of which the basmati rice share was $877 million. However, it dropped, in the first seven months (July-Jan) of the outgoing fiscal, where the total rice exports were at $2.194 billion (with basmati of $511.6 million).