MULTAN: Rice exporters have shown concerns over what they called “unwarranted” increase in shipping charges by different shipping companies.
As per details, the rice exporters have expressed great concern over the sudden and “unilateral” increase in the shipping charges for the export consignments of rice. They feared that the hike in shipping charges would upset the rice export in the current year as rice exporters had already secured huge orders from different countries.
They were of the view that the sudden increase in shipping charges would reduce turnover of the rice grower in the country.
Pakistani rice is unique in its quality but increase in shipping charges will add to its price, making it difficult for the exporters to secure new orders and compete with regional rivals in the international market.
Exporters said that this decision will help Indian exporters to take more export orders and will definitely hurt Pakistani rice export as rice export is already facing severe issues due to the current political instability of the country.
On the other hand, shipping companies attributed the increase in the charges to increase in the dollar price over the past few days.
According to Rice Exporter Association of Pakistan, there are fixed shipping charges in Pakistan which can be changed at anytime and therefore the exporters have serious reservations over the hike in shipping charges.
The exports want more facility from the government to compete their regional and international rivals globally.
Rice Exporters Association demanded the government to force the shipping lines to withdraw the increase in the shipping charges. They demanded that government should interfere in the issue of price adjustment of rice export.
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