China will sign a formal protocol in April, paving the way for introducing Pakistani rice in the local market. The protocol would be signed on the eve of forthcoming visit to Pakistan by the Chinese Primer Wen Jiabao, official sources told newsmen here on Friday. The export of Pakistani rice to China is likely to be a breakthrough in trading food items between the two countries.Pakistani long-grain rice can find a big market in China, since its quality is much better than the rice that is currently being imported from Thailand.
"We are looking at good prospects especially for Basmati rice," an official said, adding some Chinese companies had already shown interest to buy Pakistani rice.
China has purchased about 300,000 tons of Thai rice last year. The Chinese government announced recently that the import of rice would increase due to declining of its production in the past four years. The country's rice reserves have also dropped dramatically.
According to the sources, China will encourage the import of rice and grain in the coming years, while cutting down on export subsidies to local producers.
China's total rice output has been falling since 1999, along with a drop in the per-hectare yield of rice paddies, said China Rice Research Institute head, Cheng Shihua.
The sources hoped the exporters would take timely measures for organising exhibitions and other promotional activities for the introduction of Pakistani rice in China.