NEWS

January 17, 2008 - Ban on Guyana's rice exports
On January 17th 2008, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) instructed by the Guyanese Minister of Agriculture, has verbally announced to the main rice exporters a ban on rice exports was taking effect on the spot. The main reason for this decision being not enough rice until the next harvest to feed the local population. This decision is due to a poor autumnal harvest compared to the previous years and to the increase in demands from Europe and the Caribbean. Only the containers that were already stuffed and sealed and the vessels busy loading are not under the ban but all new loadings have been put on hold to a date which still has to be decided.
January 18, 2008, The Guyana Rice Develompent Board have only given export licences with special permission by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is unclear whom and what is the criteria followed, but exports have been reduced drastically. The Ministry (Nor the G.R.D.B.) haS not given formal notification and this measures have not been anounced in the local newspapers. It is very likely exports will be allowed to resume as there is a clearer picture of the actual stocks in the country.