Over 174,000 tonnes of rice exported to Mexico to date
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DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 9, 2018
The local rice industry and the trade relationship between Guyana and Mexico continue to see significant improvement as over 174,000 tonnes of paddy have been exported to Mexico, to date. This was disclosed earlier this morning as Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel and his delegation paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo at his official residence.
Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo (4th from left), Mexican Ambassador H.E Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel (5th from left) with officials from the IMP.
The Prime Minister reported that “Mexico, since last year, imported 174,000 tonnes of paddy from Guyana. I want to repeat that figure that 174,000 tonnes of Guyana’s Paddy have been exported to Mexico and for us and for all rice farmers in Guyana this has been a significant breakthrough in finding markets for our rice and paddy.”
Prime Minister Nagamootoo also disclosed that Mexico will begin purchasing white rice from local producers. “Today, I feel vindicated that our farmers can have greater markets for their produce and the rice industry has a viable profitable future in this country,” he disclosed.
According to official statistics from July to December 2017, more than 113, 525 tonnes of Guyanese paddy were exported to the Latin American nation. From January to April 2018, more than 39,850 tonnes of paddy were exported to Mexico. From January to April 2018 more than 39,850 tonnes of paddy have been exported to Mexico. Therefore, in less than a calendar year, more than 174,000 tonnes of paddy has been exported to Mexico.
As a result of the increasing trade levels, Mexico has become the largest individual destination for local paddy. This, Prime Minister Nagamootoo pointed out, will bring greater benefits for local stakeholders.
“I want to personally thank the government and the business sector of Mexico and compliment the Ambassador for his leadership in spearheading this relationship between the two countries.”
Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in 2015, whilst attending the Open Governance Global Summit in Mexico City, met with that country’s Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada. During this meeting, commitments were made to fast-track access to markets for Guyana’s rice.
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), on June 30, 2017, officially began loading the first batch of paddy that was shipped to Mexico at the John Fernandes Wharf. The shipment is part of the US$17.7m (G3.8B) Guyana-Mexico rice export agreement inked in March 2017. The Mexico-Guyana Rice agreement was brokered by Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.
By: Gabreila Patram.