Peru: Can export rice to Colombia

According to the president of the Association of Rice Producers of Peru, if the conditions allow to surpass the import quota that has Colombia for rice, Peru could export rice to the Colombian market. Three weeks ago the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru informed to rice producers that had been received the fitosanitaria authorization of Colombia for the Peruvian cereal.

Now the Peruvian civil employees must negotiate with Colombia for the total permission. During the first fourth month period of the year, Peru produced 800,000 tons of rough rice and 550,000 tons of white rice. It is expected 2 million MT of rough rice and 1.600.000 MT of white rice in 2007. The national consumption is 52 kilos of rice by person per year.