over 310 tonnes exported for first half of 2016
BY Navendra Seoraj
September 2,2016 Source
DESPITE the challenges facing the rice industry, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has indicated that a total of 310,923 tonnes of rice, valued at $29.9 billion, was exported between January-July, 2016.However, General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle revealed that this is a decrease in the quantity exported when compared to the same period last year.
He said this is due to the fact that Venezuela pulled out of the rice agreement with Guyana, causing stakeholders to lose a premium market and having to sell on an open market.
The general manager also noted that the price for rice has been continuously dipping on the world market over the past few years, which also resulted in the pricing of the products being altered.
According to statistics shared with this publication, Jamaica continues to be one of the largest importers of rice from Guyana, importing a total of 29,594 tonnes of rice, valued at $2.5 billion during the period of January-July, 2016.
Recently, the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association (GREMA) had expressed displeasure with the signing of a rice deal with Jamaica between Mussons/Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited (JRMCL) and the GRDB.
A Guyana Chronicle report had indicated, “while on the surface, this agreement appears as though it is intended to increase the price and quantity of rice that millers can export to the Jamaican market, that in reality, the reverse is likely to take place,” the exporter and millers’ body said.
However, figures show that Jamaica continues to be one of the more lucrative markets for Guyana’s rice industry.
Meanwhile, the European Union during the said period imported 169,247 tonnes of rice from Guyana, valued $10.2 billion, while Latin America recorded $6.9 billion, the United States of America, $36 million and West Africa $2 Million.
Nevertheless, when compared to last year, the value of exports during the period January-July has been reduced by approximately $6.6 billion, at a total of 4,849 tonnes.
During the first crop for this year, an initial target of 91,072 hectares for sowing was set, but due to the El Niño period it was revised to 73,405 hectares of land. This, Hassan said, resulted in the production of 410,033 tonnes of paddy for the first-crop period, January-July.
SECOND CROP
Meanwhile, as harvesting for the second crop (autumn crop) begins, the GRDB has set a target of 92,958 hectares to be sown, which was revised due to the rainy weather and set at 86,532 hectares.
According to Hassan, the GRDB will aim to achieve 469,743 tonnes of paddy at a yield of 5.4 tonnes of paddy per hectare. Hassan also noted that the GRDB is exploring new markets, with the hope of achieving a premium price for their produce.
Hassan also used the opportunity to reiterate the fact that millers who owe huge sums of money to rice farmers in 2016 will not be granted operating licences until a legitimate reason is given, or the farmers are paid.