Panama: Collected 6.4 million cwt of rice during campaign 2005/06

According to the General Contraloría* of the Republic of Panama, the harvesting of rice in 2005/06 was of 6,4 million cwt (rough). 61% of all rice production is obtained in two provinces: Chiriquí and Coclé. Rice is basic grain of Panamanians. Consumption per capita is of 72 kilograms per year, the highest in Central America.

Recently the government authorized the import of 1,4 million cwt of rough rice with a preferential tariff of 3%. The spokesmen of millers said that even that this  contingent guarantees supply, prices can continue increasing.

*Public control unit