Japanese rice grower seeks local markets as priority
Japanese rice grower seeks local markets as priority
PTP Company Limited, a Japanese company based in Champassak province is seeking a share in local markets for Japanese rice products in Laos following public reaction from customers at the Lao Handicraft Festival at Lao-ITECC.
“We hope that we can supply Japanese rice to the Japanese restaurants in Laos at cheaper prices because it appears there are many Japaneserestaurants here in Laos,” the company’s General Manager Mr Yuki Morino told Vientiane Times yesterday.
Presently many Japanese restaurants in Vientiane have imported the rice from Thailand at a higher price but the company is intending to present them with cheaper options, he said.
Laos is already well-known for its richness of natural resources and the soil is naturally fertilised, which is suited to organic farming activities, Mr Morino added.
He went on to explain that his company is growing rice in Savannakhet province where it has the capacity for non-chemical production activities.
“We found quite a lot of local customers were interested in buying Japanese rice on the first day of the festival. That is quite an impressive outcome. I think local customers will also be another target besides the Japanese restaurants,” Mr Morino said.
The growth of the Japanese rice began last year after a private Japanese company operating in Laos began promoting the product and the company is also confident to see an impressive outcome.
When asked about the quality of the Japanese rice growing in Laos and the original growth of the rice in its home soil, Mr Morino said it was quite different but the important thing is that it is organic.
This is the first season of the rice harvest in Savannakhet province. The company was able to collect about 500 kg, however it hopes to expand the rice field in the years to come.
“By the coming March, we hope that we can harvest a lot more,” he said, adding that the many Japanese visitors and restaurants here in Laos will be a boon for rice growing activities in Laos.
The week-long festival also hopes to promote and develop the quality and quantity of member businesses, as well as promote the sale of goods on the domestic and international markets.
A variety of handicrafts and other produce can be found at the festival, which is also offering interesting activities such as the product contest, product demonstrations, seminars, a fashion show and exhibitions.
The event was organised in association with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the Lao Handicraft Association.
vientiane times
