Society

Gov’t to import 190,000 tonnes of rice from India.

The price of rice, a major stable has increased in recent times

Government has through the Ministry of Trade, announced plans to import some 190,000 tonnes of white rice from India.
According to a release attributed to the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, the consignment of rice will help avoid shortages on the local market during the festive period.

According to estimations given by the minister, the huge consignment of rice is equivalent to four months local consumption.

He says government through the option wants to ensure demand from households is adequately supplied.

The confirmation comes after several months of negotiations with the Indian authorities. India had in the face of COVID-19 shocks and other global constraints suspended the export of rice to meet the demands of its citizens.

According to economic operators, the quantity to be imported in the country will be part of the 1,34 million tonnes of rice India has decided to export to seven countries in Asia and Africa.

Cameroon’s plan to import 290,000 tonnes of rice from the consignment released by India puts it on second spot. On the first spot is Philippines which will also import 290,000 tonnes.

Other countries to benefit from the rice export from India are; Malaysia, Ivory Coast, Republic of Guinea, Nepal and Seychelles.

According to the Economic Outlook report of the Economic Observatory of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts of Cameroon, CCIMA, published in November 2022, the country in 2021 imported some of 8,027 tonnes of rice, which could be estimated at some 250 billion FCFA.

According to the institution, during the first 10 months of the year 2022, rice imports amounted to some 652,565 tonnes for a total budget of 162.5 billion FCFA.