Hopeful signs in Mexico for Guyana rice

Guyanese rice farmers could be soon benefitting from the new, Mexico market, as the country has signalled its intention to fast track a paddy deal with Guyana, even as Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo continues to seek buyers for local farmers’ rice, GINA said today.
Today, GINA said that the Office of the Prime Minister reported that the Mexican Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada has given the assurance that he would fast track arrangements to buy Guyana’s paddy. Further, he has made a commitment to encourage the private sector to enter into contracts with Guyanese millers. Paddy imports carry a 9% tariff.
The Mexico market is one of many being explored by the administration. Guyana’s production in the first half of 2015 was 359,960 tonnes, 15.3 percent more than last year’s record high, first-half production of 312,283 tonnes.