The Ministry of Agriculture says it has been able to secure another contract to supply rice to the Panamanian market for December, 2018 through 2019.
According to a press release from the Ministry, the contract is worth US$5.2 million and will see the supply of 200,000 quintals, equivalent to 9,075 tonnes of white rice, with the first shipment under the new agreement expected to be sent later this month.
The statement from the ministry noted that the signing of the new contract comes after Guyana successfully met its quotas in a timely and consistent manner.
It also related that data from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) shows that over the last three years, 183,683 metric tonnes of rice, valued at US$77,147,322, have been shipped to Panama. It further stated that GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan has expressed his satisfaction at the performance of the industry and “the confidence the Panamanian government continues to show in Guyana’s rice industry.”
“We are doing exceptionally well at the moment despite the recent issue which occurred. Nonetheless, the Guyana Rice Development Board has secured and signed another contract and shipment will commence shortly,” the statement quoted Hassan as saying.
It added that from January to November, 2018, exports were valued at US$25,856,293, an increase when compared to US$19,257,176 in exports in 2017.
Hassan was also reported as saying that opportunities “appear to loom large for Guyana’s rice industry” as enhanced efforts are being made to ensure not only the security of existing markets but also that additional markets are secured.
“The Panamanian market has impacted the price farmers receive per bag of paddy. It has also increased farmers confidence in the industry, which has manifested itself into increased acreages under cultivation,” the statement said.
The new contract was secured although an investigation is ongoing into how a wrong shipment was sent to Panama recently.
Hassan had confirmed that some 30 containers were stopped by the Panamanian authorities and were rejected after it was found that parboiled rice was shipped instead of white rice, which millers are contractually obligated to supply.
As a result, the responsible miller was eventually stopped from exporting.
Hassan had also explained that they were unsure of how the mix up might have happened since they would’ve done checks to samples from the container before authorising its exportation. The miller had also come up with no explanation as to what had happened and is also currently carrying out his own investigation.
The Special Organised Crime Unit had also launched an investigation.
The GRDB is said to be in the final stage of its own investigation.
