ABIDJAN: Following the successful first leg of the Pakistan Rice Road Show 2025 in Accra, Ghana, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) officially launched the second phase in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This landmark two-day event at the Novotel Plateau Hotel brings together 28 of Pakistan’s top rice exporting companies to showcase their premium Basmati and affordable milled rice offerings to prospective Ivorian buyers and importers.
In his message to the gathering, Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of Commerce of Pakistan, emphasized that these road shows are about building enduring partnerships rather than mere trade transactions. The Minister highlighted that Pakistan, as the world’s fourth-largest rice exporter producing over nine million metric tons annually, is well-positioned to address West Africa’s growing rice needs through consistent supply, competitive pricing, and high-quality varieties.
He noted that Pakistani rice exports, valued at over US$ 4 billion in 2023-24 and reaching more than 100 countries globally, demonstrate the country’s capacity to serve as a reliable partner for West African food security.
Mahmood Akhtar Mahmood, Ambassador of Pakistan to Côte d’Ivoire, positioned Pakistan’s mission as a vital bridge between Côte d’Ivoire and Pakistani exporters. The Ambassador emphasized Pakistan’s unique position in the global rice market, noting the country’s 8% share in global rice trade and its status as the major exporter of brown Basmati rice worldwide.
Athar Hussain Khokhar, Director General of Agro and Food at TDAP and Head of the Pakistani delegation, presented Pakistan’s comprehensive rice value chain from cultivation to export. DG Khokhar demonstrated how Pakistan’s rice processing involves multiple stages that enhance product quality, from primary processing of paddy rice to secondary processing that creates milled products. He emphasized Pakistan’s climate-resilient varieties and robust supply chain capabilities, with main producing areas in Sindh and Punjab provinces ensuring consistent year-round production.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
