Rice Producers And
Government in
Disagreement Over Rice
Wholesale Price
Although rice producers
have threatened not to
import rice, the
government assures that
there won't a shortage
of the grain in Costa
Rican kitchens.
Rice producers and the
government are at odds
over the price of the
grain which the
Ministerio de Economía,
Industria y Comercio (MEIC)
has set at ¢17.890
colones for a 73 kilo
sac.
The producers want the
price set at ¢21.000
colones and have
threatened not to import
rice if the government
does not give in to
their demands.
The threat was made by
the Asamblea Nacional de
Productores who on Mondy
rejected the
government's proposal,
who president, Oscar
Campos, said that before
we can go out an buy
rice we have to be sure
we have the money.
Notwithstanding, the
MEIC assures Costa
Ricans that there won't
be a rice shortage,
quoting that in
Guanacaste there is
102.000 tonnes in
production, which is in
addition to the first
shipment that is due to
arrive soon. MEIC
officials say there is
sufficient product until
December.
The question of who will
will in this tug match
is not clear. On the one
hand, the government has
the right to import rice
directly to assure to
assure that there is no
shortage. The other
scenario is that the
government give in to
the demands of the rice
producers and the price
is passed on to the
consumer.
For now neither side is
ready to call it quits.
Carlos González,
president of Corporación
Arrocera (CONNAROZ) said
that his group will try
to find a solution so
that 162.000 tonnes of
rice needed will make it
to the kitchen table.
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