After almost five hours of analysis and deliberations, the Rice Agrifood Chain, made up of producers, millers, food distributors, Acodeco and consumers, decided by consensus to import 600,000 quintals of husks of this grain, to guarantee the supply of one of the main foods of the Panamanian, in a meeting in which the Minister of Agricultural Development, Augusto Valderrama, participated.
The decision was made through a vote in which all the actors in the chain participated and after reports presented on the supply calculations, prepared by officials from the Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco) and technicians from the Ministry. of Agricultural Development (MIDA).
Valderrama congratulated all the members of the chain for reaching an agreement that will help guarantee the food security of Panamanians.
He added that the approval of this quota will give greater supply to the country, due to the existing problems due to the lack of supplies and the war in Russia and Ukraine.
The president of the Rice Chain, Alexander Araúz, pointed out that after analyzing the statistics presented, as well as the progress of planting, it was found that there is enough rice in Panama until September; but that this importation of 600,000 quintals is to further strengthen the supply of rice and that it will take place from August 1.
Araúz highlighted that almost 20,000 hectares of rice have been planted, which will begin to be harvested from the beginning of August onwards. In addition, he sent a message to consumers to be calm, that there is enough rice and that they will continue to produce for this country.
During the meeting, the National Directorate of Agriculture of MIDA, Reynaldo Solis, gave a report on this item in Panama, in which it is highlighted that some 19,639.4 hectares of rice planted were reported until Friday, June 3, that is, 2,316 ha. more compared to June 2021, which indicates that rice planting is going at a good pace, despite the problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in input costs.
