On the domestic level both white rice and parboiled rice are consumed in Guyana. Parboiled rice produced is consumed locally, primarily by the East Indian populace in the rural areas. The demand is, however, greater for white rice because of its use in both the urban and rural areas. Rice is distributed by millers to processors, supermarkets and other retailers from whom the final consumer can purchase. Prior to any export being made the exporter should submit the contract documentation, prepared along guidelines set by the Guyana Rice Development Board, for inspection and monitoring with respect to:
With respect to the quality of product to be exported, the exporter must be deemed to be a bona-fide producer of that quality product in quantity adequate to meet his contractual obligations. During the marketing year of January - December 2000, Guyana exported 207,638 metric tonnes of rice valued approximately US$ 51.8 million. This does not compare very well with previous years and the reasons for this drop in both quantity exported and revenue earned, can be undoubtedly attributed to, the following:
The following marketing statistics are available:
According to the GRMEDA annual report for 1998 the President of GRMEDA stated "As we move into the next millennium and the forces of globalisation and trade liberalisation take hold in our world we will gradually (hopefully) lose our preferential access to both the European and CARICOM markets. It is therefore absolutely essential for our local; industry to develop new markets in areas of the worlds where we do not one enjoy preferential; access, but where we may have a comparative advantage over other rice producing countries. Some countries in the Caribbean, outside of CARICON, such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic and some of the countries of South and Central America , such as Colombia, Peru and Honduras (to name a few) are all potential markets for Guyana’s rice. Although these countries are traditional American markets, we can compete favorably in them once we keep the cost of producing our rice competitive. If the milling sector is to become truly internationally competitive in the future we must reduce our cost of production both in the field as well as in the mills and we must start now to access new non-preferential markets with the intention of maintaining these markets permanently, We must also try our best to preserve our access to our preferential markets of CARICOM and the EU, since this will give us the breathing space necessary to become truly internationally competitive". References Dr.Peter de Groot B.Sc., DVM, President's Report, Guyana Rice Millers & Exporters Development Association Ltd, Annual Report 1999. This page was created and maintained by D. Tello, GRDB, 117 Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana. If you have any questions or comments, please contact "grdb@gol.net.gy" |
