Brazil Registers Increase In Rice Exports

According to a recent statistics released by Brazil's National Commodities Supply Corporation, Brazil's rice exports have overtaken rice imports for the first time in the country's history.

Brazil's rice crop is harvested between February and April in the central-south region, and between March and June in the northeast. The report expects Brazil to export 700,000 MT of rice in 2008 while importing 600,000 MT in the same period.

Although Brazil is not a major rice-producing nation but with the high rice prices worldwide it has been receiving inquiries and requests to export more rice to regions such as Africa where rice shortages are occurring in some countries.

Brazil's rice crop is estimated to be around 12.2 million MT in 2007-08, up 7.7% compared with 2006-07.