KARACHI: Pakistan has exported around 332,500 tons of rice to China and fetched $149 million. By the close of current fiscal, total exports of rice to the Chinese market is expected to reach 350,000 tons.

This was stated by former vice chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) Rafique Suleman while briefing the members on his return from China where he lead an eight member delegation.

The Reap delegation also participated in 5th South Asian Countries Fair recently held at Kunming, China. He said that a ‘Biryani Festival’ was also held by Reap where Pakistani rice dishes were presented and free samples were distributed to Chinese visitors to Pakistani stalls.

He disclosed that during the visit, Reap delegation also had the chance to visit Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing and held meetings with leading Chinese rice importers, manufacturers of various type of machines and officials of Chinese organisations and trade bodies.