This picture shows an Indian shopkeeper selling basmati rice. — AFP/File KARACHI: Buoyed by an overwhelming response at the “Saudi Food Show 2024” being held in Riyadh, Pakistani food exporters on Thursday said they were confident of increasing their market share in the Kingdom, Arab News reported. The Saudi Food Show is the Kingdom’s largest annual event for food and beverage sourcing.

The event is being held in Riyadh from May 21-23 where over 1,000 exhibitors from 97 countries are taking part in the exhibition. Among the exhibitors are also thirty Pakistani companies that are taking part in the event, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said. “The annual demand for rice in Saudi Arabia is 1.

2 million tonnes and Pakistan’s share is only 7 percent at present,” Chela Ram Kewlani, chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), told Arab News. “We are expecting to increase our share after this exhibition.”The Saudi groundbreaking platform convenes a distinguished global contingent of exhibitors, thought leaders, industry communities, strategic partners, innovative brands, and acclaimed chefs.

The Pakistan Pavilion at the event featured 30 companies comprising 15 from the rice sector, 12 from the processed food sector, two from the meat sector, and two from the dairy sector, the TDAP said. Pakistani rice exporters hope to achieve a new milestone in exporting the product after India decided last year to ban rice exports. India, the.