Pakistan Rice Road Show 2025 Extends to Côte d’Ivoire

ABIDJAN: Building on the triumph of its initial phase in Accra, Ghana, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has officially inaugurated the second segment of the Pakistan Rice Road Show 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This significant two-day program, hosted at the Novotel Plateau Hotel, showcases 28 premier Pakistani rice exporting firms. These companies aim to present their exceptional Basmati and budget-friendly milled rice options to potential Ivorian purchasers and importers.

In his address to the assembly, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, underscored that these roadshows are designed to cultivate lasting alliances rather than simple business transactions. The Minister emphasized Pakistan’s capability to fulfill West Africa’s increasing rice demand through consistent supply, affordable pricing, and superior varieties, noting that Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest rice exporter, generating over nine million metric tons annually.

He stated that Pakistani rice exports, which surpassed US$ 4 billion in 2023-24 and reached over 100 countries globally, highlight the nation’s capacity to act as a dependable ally for West African food security.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Mahmood Akhtar Mahmood, characterized Pakistan’s initiative as a crucial connection between Côte d’Ivoire and Pakistani exporters. The Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s distinct standing in the international rice market, referencing the country’s 8% share of global rice commerce and its position as the leading exporter of brown Basmati rice across the globe.

Athar Hussain Khokhar, Director General of Agro and Food at TDAP and leader of the Pakistani delegation, presented Pakistan’s all-encompassing rice value chain, spanning from cultivation to export. DG Khokhar illustrated the multiple stages involved in Pakistan’s rice processing that improve product quality, ranging from the initial treatment of paddy rice to the subsequent processing that yields milled goods. He emphasized Pakistan’s climate-resilient strains and dependable supply chain capabilities, with primary production regions in Sindh and Punjab provinces guaranteeing consistent year-round output.