ISLAMABAD, June 16: Pakistani basmati rice exporters have been facing ceiling prices restriction for the last three months while the Indian exporters are selling the commodity at double price in the UAE markets, sources told Dawn on Saturday.

A ministerial decision No128 was taken by the United Arab Emirates government in March that blocked sale of rice in domestic UAE market for Sinnara brand and all other rice according to the prescribed price ceiling list — beyond which rice selling in the market will not be allowed.

An official told Dawn that Pakistan had raised the issue in the recently concluded joint ministerial conference with the UAE. A ceiling price of Dhs115 per 39-kg bag of basmati rice, exported from Pakistan, had been imposed.

This has adversely affected the export of rice from Pakistan due to higher prices of basmati rice in the local market. Pakistan side requested to review the ministerial decision with regard to ‘Sinnara’ and other brands of Pakistani basmati rice, the official added.

Federal minister for agriculture has expressed the desired to meet the UAE minister of economy at a mutually convenient time to resolve the matter quickly. UAE side noted the issue and promised to take up the matter with the concerned authorities for favourable consideration, the official added.

A rice exporter requesting not to be identified said the ministerial decision was selectively implemented by UAE authorities, targeting Pakistani origin basmati and specifically Sinnara brand super basmati rice of Pakistan.

Indian basmati rice was allowed to be sold as per market price acceptance and the ceiling prices were not applied to their sale.

“The UAE is violating its own ministerial decision irrespective of the position whether this decision is correct or not. Selective implementation has meant that solely Pakistani basmati rice has been targeted that is very sad in view of our excellent, cordial and brotherly relations,” the exporter added.

According to copies of purchase receipts provided to Dawn by the exporter, the 20-kg bag ceiling for `Sinnara’ brand and all other rice without mention of origin is Dhs65 while 20-kg Tilda Indian Basmati is selling at Dhs123.50, 20-kg India Gate basmati is selling at Dhs116, 20-kg Lal Qilla Indian Basmati is selling at Dhs105.

Even Pakistani basmati 39-kg bag brands such as Qaswa and Mumtaz were selling at Dhs140 and Dhs135 respectively while ceiling for 39-kg was Dhs115. Almost all other Pakistani brands were within the ceiling constraints with smaller differences, the exporter added.

“We hope the UAE authorities will let the free market pricing system resume related to actual market price increase/decrease as in the past. They should actually remove all ceiling price constraints imposed on Pakistani basmati rice sales," he demanded.

The exporter suggested that it was imperative that Pakistani authorities should also ensure that only pure quality basmati rice was shipped out because Indian lobby was active to prove that Pakistan was exporting low quality rice.