Papua New Guinea may likely export rice in the future. That is if this industry can gain support.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) rice extension unit programme manager Heai Hoko, only Trukai Industries has been exporting rice to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands presently.
He added that PNG rice had the potential to export to other Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and even China given the high number of populations in these countries.
“Indonesia has about 270 million people, they still need more to feed their people, cattle, beef and rice,” he said. “Even though they are a rice-growing country, they still have a need to feed their people, either they get it domestically or from outside.”
Initially, rice is deemed for local consumption but eventually, Hoko said it has to be exported.
He added that DAL was looking into the Sepik plains to develop a rice industry - with the chance to export to rice from either Vanimo or Weak to these other Asian countries.
Aside from Trukai, the players include Homestate Co-operative (Star Rice) and Goodman Fielder (Skel Rice).
