Belize Seeks to Capitalize on Rice Export Opportunity

There is great potential for Belize to increase its exportation of rice.  With India’s recent announcement to halt the provision of rice, there is a wide gap that would need filling, and Belize is hoping to capitalize on that.  Minister of Agriculture, Abelardo Mai, explained that these are the economic opportunities that Belize will be tapping into.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture: “The largest producer of rice in the world in China but the largest exporter of rice in the world is India. India is responsible for 40% of rice exports and today India has declared that they will no longer export rice. So that 40% rice that is supposed to be on the world trading block is no longer there. Who will pick up that slack ? El Salvador mentioned today that they’re interested in importing rice just like Guatemala so we’re the only country that residents can go to bed and rest assured that tomorrow you will have your rice, you have your chicken, you have your beans and you have vegetables everything produced local. In Central America Belize is the only country that does not import rice we have it right there next to us. In the Caribbean only Guyana I think and Suriname produce their own rice.”