Rice Problem in Costa Rica Returns

Producers in the Guanacaste area are protesting again, demanding that the government respects a promise agreed last November, which, according to the rice growers, would resolve the placement of more than five thousand tons of rice which has been stored in dry silos, both public and private, since September 2011.

In addition, they are demanding that rice imports of milled rice from Uruguay and Argentina be halted, reported La Prensa Libre on its website.

"Our harvest is being stored while milled rice is being imported from Uruguay and Argentina. The rice crop from September has not even been paid for let alone invoiced, government mediation has failed", said Olger Rojas, a producer from Guanacaste according to the website.

Source: prensalibre.co.cr

More on this topic

Costa Rica: New Price for Rice

October 2010

Starting January the 73.6 kg. bag will cost producers ¢ 20,050 ($ 39.3).

Producers had proposed a price of ¢ 21,372 ($ 41.89).

Oscar Campos, president of the National Assembly of Rice Producers, said that in exchange for a reduction in the price, the Government was to implement a program to improve competitiveness until 2020.

Costa Rica: Government Reaches Purchase Agreement with Rice Producers

November 2011

The signing of the agreement between the government, representatives of the rice sector and growers puts an end to the conflict caused by administrative price-fixing.

The new agreement guarantees that 100% of the 2011 harvest (53,000 hectares) will be purchased from rice growers by the industrial sector.

Reduced Rice Planting in Costa Rica

March 2012

In order to overcome the distortions that have occured in the market, the National Assembly of Producers has decided to reduce the amount of sown land by 23 hectares.

Following the decision by the National Assembly of Producers, an agreement to issue certificates for the purchase of rice by industrialist is still pending.

Costa Rica: Authorities and Rice Producers Analyze Rice Subsidy

October 2010

The parties created a working group to come up with a solution to the conflict generated by rice subsidies.

The problem arose by questioning submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 35 countries.

La Nacion, reports on their website, "The basic point of the problem is the price of the grain. This is the only product which price continues to be set by law."