Rice exports from Pakistan were previously dealt by the Rice Export Corporation of Pakistan. After rice exports were allowed to the private sector, a new body of people emerged in the shape of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan.
In 1988-89 Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) came into existence and started interacting with the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock and also with the Planning Division of the Government of Pakistan.

In 1992 REAP also played host to the Arabian Gulf Cooperative Council which included government buyers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, U.A.E., Bahrain and Qatar. For the first time since private sector was allowed rice exports they made a sale of 36000 tons.

In 1998-99 REAP became a registered body with the Director Trade Organization Ministry of Commerce. REAP membership became compulsory by Ministry of Commerce for all rice exporters.

REAP is very active and conscientious regarding issues that might impede rice exports. From time to time action plans were proposed by REAP on various issues that were causing problem in rice exports. Some of the problems on which REAP sent action plans were milling machinery import problems, limited rice research prevailing, less varieties of rice being grown in the country, poor marketing and so on and so forth. Whether these issues pertain to domestic problems, government policy or international issues REAP through its managing committee and members has always been pivotal in resolving all such matters.

Ever since exports were allowed to the private sector, REAP members, starting from mere 300 Million Dollars in 1998-99, managed to export above 4 Million Tons of rice amounting to over 2 Billion Dollars from Pakistan in 2009-10. No other commodity has shown such growth in the history of Pakistan.

REAP has accomplished creditable task of bringing growers, millers and traders of rice crop on one platform and has created mutual harmony, understanding and affection among each other. REAP leadership has organized number of seminars to educate people involved at each stage of rice. These seminars have greatly helped understanding of latest techniques and solutions of bottlenecks faced. This spirit-de-crop has resulted in production of high quality basmati in the country.

REAP’S VISION

REAP has been striving for the betterment of rice trade. REAP has already given a Road Map to Government to overcome the gaps in rice value chain and increase Pakistan’s rice exports upto US$ 5 Billion in next 5 years.