KARACHI, June 27: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan has expressed concern over propaganda against Pakistani rice from American and Mexican lobbies who are creating hurdles for smooth export of Pakistani rice to Mexico.

In a statement on Thursday, Reap chairman Jawed Ali Ghori urged the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to intervene and take immediate steps for the release of more than 150 containers of Pakistani rice at the Mexican ports and more than 780 rice containers which are in transit to Mexico worth millions of dollars.

Mr Ghori said that during July 2012 to June 26 Pakistan exported 34,000 metric tonnes of rice worth $14.428 million.

He said that Pakistani rice is $100 cheaper than American rice. That is why the American and Mexican lobbies were creating hurdles against export of Pakistani rice and Government of Pakistan should take urgent measures to resolve the problem.

He elaborated that transit period from Pakistan to Mexico is around 70 days and Pakistani rice has properly been fumigated to avoid presence of Khapra beetle.

However, if transit time exceeds, there may be presence of such beetle.