Rice exported to EU found polluted, shipment stopped

KARACHI: Rice exported to the European Union was recently found polluted, leading to an immediate stoppage of shipment of the commodity by the EU food control authority.

According to media reports, with the detection of the spoiled and polluted rice exported from Pakistan, there could be further action by the European Union including a total ban on Pakistani products in the international market.

Considering its possible consequences, the government of Pakistan has taken the matter seriously and informed the EU for ratification and utmost care in the future.

Experts have warned that if the government did not take prompt action its exports of food items especially rice would in jeopardy and the country would lose billions of dollars.

Pakistani rice is popular in European countries, especially the Basmati rice but negligence in ensuring quality that meets the international food safety standards could cost Pakistan very dearly.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, Pakistan earned 3.93 billion dollars from the export of rice.

The alarm bells however started ringing when a rice shipment destined to Netherlands was stopped by the EU in July this year. Since then, the situation has not improved though Pakistan has promised to ensure the quality of the rice for export to the EU.