Rice: Argentina, Chile want to import rice from Pakistan

Buyers from Argentina and Chile have shown keen interest to import Pakistani rice because of its best quality. A foreign delegation of buyers visited the regional office of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) along with Rabia Javeri Agha, Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Thursday.
"We have visited many Rice industries in Karachi and we are satisfied with the quality of rice and the modern technology established in the industries. We are going to import Pakistani rice in near future," said Mariano Senesi, a member of delegation. The delegation was comprised Mariano Senesi M/s Agrosud Argentina, Enrique Bruzzone Copello M/s. CV Trading Chile, Enrique Bruzzone Caste M/S CV Trading Chile. Representatives of SGS Pakistan, Beauro Veritas, and Intertek Pakistan were also present.
On this occasion, Rabia Javeri Agha said, "It is the primary objective of TDAP to facilitate the exporters and resolve the issue. I would address all issues being faced by the rice exporters association and would step up efforts to enhance the export with other nations."
Senior Vice-Chairman Reap, Chela Ram, said they were delighted to have Secretary TDAP first time at their office and hope she would further cooperate with them and would pave the ways for a smooth export.
He further said he was also happy over the providence of quality rice for the buyers across the world, adding that China has become the largest importer of Pakistani rice in last two years.
"We have beaten our competitors including India, Thailand and Vietnam and captured Chinese market in last couple of years," he added.
Regarding the decline in export of Pakistani basmati rice in last few years, he said the price of Pakistani basmati was higher as compared to the competitors due to which the volume of exports came down. It all happened due the poor law and order situation of the country, he added. He urged the government to ensure proper electricity and gas supply to the farmers so that the exports volume could be increased. He said if the present government restore peace and provide energy to this sector that they would cross $4 billion mark in 2016.
Abdul Rahim, ex-chairman Reap, urged the government to take appropriate measures and encourage formers to adopt latest technology to increase rice production so that the sector could earn maximum foreign exchanges for the country.

News Source: Business Recorder  News Collected: agrinfobank.com  Team

Australian consultants call on Secretary TDAP

The Consultants of Australian Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture Peter Hofman, & Peter Johnson had a meeting with Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) on December 2nd, 2013 along with Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Director, Sindh Mango Growers Association, the consultants apprised the Secretary, TDAP about their working on behalf of Australia and helping the Government of Sindh in 3 sectors namely Mango, Citrus and Dairy under the ASLP, Agri Sector Linkage Programme.
The consultants informed that the test shipment of Mango of Sindh was made under the programme using controlled atmosphere technology, to UK to the Tesco Retail Company in 6 containers, which took almost 30 days from the picking / shipping to the retail level, leaving 7 clear days to the retailer to market the product - whereas in normal, regular by air shipment, the retailer has only 24 to 48 hours before the product perishes.
It was also informed that UK buyers plan to visit the Mango growers in the month of January, 2014 in order to finalise arrangements for Mango shipments to UK in the forthcoming season.-PR

News Source: Business Recorder   News Collected : agrinfobank.com Team

Payment to sugar millers: MoF refuses to give Rs 500 million to TDAP

Finance Ministry has reportedly refused to give Rs 500 million to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to pay sugar millers as inland freight subsidy on export of 0.5 million MT of sugar, reveals official documents available with Business Recorder.
The Economic Co-ordination Committee(ECC) of the Cabinet, in its meeting on September 7, 2013 allowed sugar mills to export 0.5 million MT of sugar out of which 250,000 MT was allowed to be exported with immediate effect up to October 31, 2013 and the remaining quantity of 250,000 MT will be exported from November 1, 2013 onward subject to the following conditions: (i) the sugar mill owners will clear the outstanding arrears of Rs 1.7 billion( as reported by the PSMA representatives) to be paid to the growers; (ii) sugar mills will start crushing in Sindh and Punjab by November 1, and November 15, respectively.
The documents further disclose that the Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industry approached the Finance Ministry for release of approved freight inland subsidy of Rs 500 million on export of 0.5 million MT sugar to the TDAP for compliance of the ECC decision.
However, Finance Division regretted for provision of subsidy stating that the Finance Division is not in a position to provide funds to TDAP. Finance Division further conveyed to Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industry that allocation of funds for inland freight subsidy will be met out of the head of Export Development Fund (EDF).
Commerce Ministry is of the view that EDF does not generate its own funds rather Finance Division allocates and releases the funds to EDF out of the Export Development Surcharge (EDS) collection. The sources said, out of 0.5 million MT of sugar, 27000 MT has been exported so far and the sugar millers are of the view that they will not opt for export without subsidy.
"The entire allocated quantity cannot be exported till December 31, 2013 even if we dispatch it day and night," said Riaz Qadeer Butt, President PSMA Punjab who is protecting the interests of mill owners at all forums including ECC on the permanent absence of Chairman PSMA from the scene. In reply to a question, President PSMA Punjab said that no mill will export sugar when rate in the local market is better as compared to exported commodity.
"Presently, ex-mill rate is about Rs 56 per kg whereas earning from exported sugar is Rs 54 per kg ($460 per ton). In this scenario no sugar mill is ready to export its stocks," he continued. He also disclosed that the government used to pay Rs 2.50 per kg subsidy on export but now SRO is not being issued which implies that subsidy is withdrawn. "If government does not extend subsidy export is not feasible," Butt maintained.
The ECC in its meeting duly represented by the PSMA extended the date for export of 500,000 tons sugar allowed by it till December 31, 2013. However, the ECC made it clear that no further extension would be given on this count. The ECC also allowed delay in sugar crushing date and set new dates for start of crushing season for sugar mills in Sindh as November 20, 2013 and November 25, 2013 in Punjab with the condition that sugar mills would start procurement of the sugar cane from farmers from these dates. The ECC had earlier decided that the crushing season for sugar mills would begin from November 1, 2013 for Sindh and November 15 for Punjab. The extension is being given in view of Ashura, it noted. The ECC was informed that Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has given a categorical assurance that all dues of sugar cane growers have been cleared. This impression, however, contracted in the Sugar Advisory Board (SAB) meeting wherein it was confirmed that sugar mills have yet to pay Rs 170 million to poor cane growers.

Source: http://www.brecorder.com