Malaysia to import more rice from Pakistan

Malaysia is expected to register a four- fold increase in the import of Pakistani rice this year, says the Commercial Counsellor at the Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Wijiuallah Kundi. In a statement here today, he said Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) and its group of companies, have been actively engaging Pakistan to bring about the increase. The move is in line with the objective of diversifying Malaysia's import base for rice and minimise the dependence on imports from Thailand and Vietnam. Wijiuallah said Malaysia's rice imports from Thailand and Vietnam made up 45.91 per cent and 34.5 per cent, respectively. "Currently, Pakistan is the third biggest exporter of rice to Malaysia. But this is only 4.1 per cent of the total rice imports," he added. The rice products from Pakistan are Basmati rice including Super, Shaheen, Kernal, NIAB, IRRI-9, IRRI – 6, broken rice, rice in the husk, paddy husked or brown rice, both semi-milled or wholly milled. In 2008, Pakistan's total rice exports to Malaysia was valued at RM110.97 million