The Association of Rice Producers of Chiriquí (Apach), and the president of Panama agree in which the rise of rice prices is not justified. The president of the country recognizes the possibility that speculation in prices of the cereal exists. There are intermediaries that obtain high gains and they are neither the producers nor the millers, indicated.

The Authority of Protection to Consumer has recommended freezing of prices for rice and other products.

According to the Minister of Farming Development freezing prices is one of the proposals that are shuffled to finish with the speculation. Another option is a perceivable reduction of tariffs of import in order to help to maintain the costs.