The export of rice to Colombia is reactivated after signing a memorandum

Ecuadornerws:

The second phase of export of Ecuadorian rice to Colombia took place on December 4. It was scheduled to begin on November 15 according to a memorandum signed in2017 between Ecuador and Colombia, but because the neighboring country was slow to deliver import permits to its companies, the process began on Tuesday, December 4.

The import quota is 44,200 tons (t) until December 31, so Ecuador is running against the clock to try to get the largest amount of grain to enter that country. 90% must enter by sea and 10% by land, informed the Deputy Minister of Productive Agricultural Development, Alexandra Peralta.

The official indicated that the first ships will sail this December 6th with a cargo of between 5,000 and 6,000 tons and will arrive after five days, so shipments should take place until December 20.

Juan Pablo Zúñiga, president of the Ecuadorian Rice Industrialists Corporation(Corpcom), indicated that the possibilities of fulfilling the quota are low.The leader defends the management of Ecuadorian authorities and exporters, but demands delays from Colombia.

“Colombia is not complying with the agreements. We ask that the deadlines be extended or that sanctions be applied from the CAN, “he said.

The Minister of Agriculture, Xavier Lazo, called for calm to the producers and optimistically said that they hope to close this year with a total export of50,000 t of rice. He also confirmed that an export to Guatemala will soon be completed. It also negotiates with Arab countries and seeks to improve the quality of the grain to take advantage of the quota available with the European Union.

Another axis of the Ministry’s plan is the productive reconversion for those lands in which it is not possible to improve productivity. To do this, we work on a line of credit with Ban Ecuador and on an agrarian policy to make the change according to national and international demand.

It also seeks to encourage the production and export of organic rice and the creation of agricultural free zones to reduce the costs of machinery,fertilizers and spare parts for the sector. Strengthen the associativity of exporters is another goal to reach more markets. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/economia/4/exportacion-arroz-colombia