[ 2014-08-19 ]

Local rice producers downplay reports of short supply of staple on market
Media reports that local rice is in short supply
on the market have been downplayed by producers of
the staple.

The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), a
cooperative association of local rice farmers,
explained that although there may be limited
supply of the staple in parts of the country, it
does not represent a general shortage on the
market.

“We haven't yet reached the top level of
production yet though the capacity is increasing.
But you know it [the limited supply] is a subtle
thing”, said Imoro Amoro, President of GRIB.

Mr Amoro further explained that because rice
production is seasonal there are instances of
limited supply of local rice before the harvest
season sets in – then there is a lot more.

“So it may be short at some places, but there is
still local rice on the market”, he said.

Media reports indicated that government's crack
down on importation of rice, coupled with free
fall of the cedi have contributed in surging
demand for local rice, outstripping supply from
local farmers.

Agribusiness company, Finatrade, which buys about
60 percent of the rice produced locally says
demand for local rice has gone up by 40 percent
more compared to last year.

“Now we have improved on the standards [of local
rice production] and the packaging too has
improved although there is a lot of room for
improvement”, said Mr Amoro.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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