Pakistan exports rice to Bangladesh after more than 5 decades

Pakistan has exported the first consignment of rice to Bangladesh amounting to 26,000 metric tons (MT) through its national carrier — the first such export in more than five decades.

A total lot of 50,000 MT will be exported through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

The remaining amount of 24,000 MT will be exported in middle of next month.

The TCP had floated a tender in December after Bangladesh Trading Corporation showed interest in buying rice from Pakistan on a government-to-government basis to meet demand.

The TCP had floated a tender of 50,000 MT of long-grain white rice (IRRI-6) and 50,000 MT of non-basmati parboiled rice. When the tender was opened on January 6, it attracted 11 bids for long-grain white rice, with price offers ranging between $498.40 and $523.50 per metric ton. However, no bids were received for the non-basmati parboiled rice, prompting a fresh tender.

Another tender floated has given companies a deadline of Feb 27 to file expressions of interest to sell rice to Bangladesh.

The tender specifies that 60% of the rice will be delivered to Chattogram Port and 40% to Mongla Port in Bangladesh, with shipments routed through Karachi Port. The rice must be packed in 50-kilogram polypropylene woven bags and shipped as break bulk cargo.