No rice shortage in TT

ALTHOUGH many people are worried about the possibility of a food shortage due to the covid19 pandemic, the Food Distributors Association says there is no rice shortage.

The association’s president Marc Pontifex told Newsday the rice sector is not in any trouble and there is a sufficient supply to meet demand. He said, “Based on feedback from major supermarkets, they are not experiencing any shortages.”

Over the past few months, there have been calls from several sectors, especially the agricultural sector, for the government to look into a sound food security policy. CEO of Old Mac Parboiled Rice, Liaquat Ali, said while there is no shortage of rice there are some challenges in getting it into the country.

He said, “With the restrictions in place because of covid19, the logistics of getting from the regional and international suppliers are challenging. Workers are unable to disembark the vessel as it docks, and a lot of safety checks must be carried out before the product is released. This delay makes the process longer to get the product on the shelf for consumers.”

Ali added that there is an “artificial shortage” because people have been panic-buying and storing more than they need. Agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj said although there is no shortage, because of the covid19 pandemic and other world issues such as US military action near Venezuela, rice imports from Guyana could be affected.

Maharaj said, “In 2018 TT imported approximately $107 million, or 19, 853 tons of rice. Although the reported import volume fell by almost 50 per cent, import value did not. Even if quantity remains available going forward, we have to be mindful of foreign-exchange pressure.

“The decline in imports may be due to incomplete data reporting by some countries generally, since local production remains relatively dormant, as farmers have since migrated to other fields of endeavour and production to survive.” He said while a majority of rice imports are from Guyana and Brazil, TT has the capacity to produce “a tremendous amount” of rice.

“There remains significant potential for its revitalisation. There are arable lands, equipment and machinery, private and state-operated milling capacity, experienced farmers and indigenous knowledge, marketing and distribution channels, and an established consumer market, among other opportunities.”