Pakistan 2008-09 rice crop seen over 6 million tonnes: Khaleej Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's rice output should rise at least 10 per cent to over 6 million tonnes in the 2008-09 fiscal year on a larger planted area, officials and growers said yesterday, and exports could top 4 million tonnes.

A large rice harvest would add to the picture of growing supplies that has seen Asian benchmark prices come off 30 per cent from a record high reached in March.

Pakistan, the world fifth-largest rice exporter, produced 5.5 million tonnes of rice in the year to June and exported 3.33 million tonnes.

Fresh grain will start flowing to the market in late August, according to rice traders.

"There is nearly a 10 per cent increase in the cultivation area and the production is likely between 6.2-6.4 million tonnes," said Ibrahim Mughal, chairman of the Agri-Forum, a farmers' association.

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