KARACHI, Jan 23: Pakistani rice exporters plan to visit India next month to finalize orders to buy up to 25 Indian parboiled rice-making plants in an attempt to boost exports of parboiled rice to the Middle East and African markets , a senior rice exporter said.

"We plan to take a delegation of 20-25 exporters to India by February 24 to buy parboiled plants which can boost our exports to Saudi Arabia and South Africa," said Rahim Janoo, who is also a member of the Federal Export Board.

Parboiled rice, of which Thailand is the largest exporter, is produced by a process of soaking, pressure steaming and drying prior to milling. Janoo said purchasing the machinery will be the first direct deal of its type between India and Pakistani rice traders, made possible by the thaw in relations between the two neighbours.

In the past, Pakistan has bought six plants from India from indirect sources, he said. He said the Indian Rice Machinery Manufacturers will host the delegation in New Delhi.

He said each plant costs Rs5.5 million - which is three times less than similar European plants. "Our prime minister's (recent efforts to normalize relations with India) and their positive response have made such deals possible," he said.

He said Pakistani traders will also offer to sell Pakistani coarse rice to India which could help stabilize prices there. He said Pakistan's rice exports have picked up sharply in the first six months of the current fiscal year.

He said Pakistan exported 900,000 tons of rice valued at $300 million during July-December, compared with a full-year target of $600 million or 2 million tons. Last year, Pakistan exported 1.7 million tons in the full fiscal year. Exports of coarse rice, Irri-6, to Kenya and Tanzania have risen sharply this year, allowing Pakistani exports to overtake Indian exports in the region, he said.

But, Mr Janoo said, Pakistan has suffered in European markets because of a decision by the European Commission to waive the duty concession on basmati rice, which the government plans to take up with the commission.

Previously, a duty abatement of 250 euros a ton was available for all brown basmati rice, including hybrid varieties. But from January 1, it is restricted to only five traditional Indian basmati varieties - taraori, basmati 370, dehraduni, ranbir and basmati 217 - and two indigenous Pakistani varieties - kernel and basmati 370.