Reduced Rice Planting in Costa Rica

In order to overcome the distortions that have occured in the market, the National Assembly of Producers has decided to reduce the amount of sown land by 23 hectares.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Following the decision by the National Assembly of Producers, an agreement to issue certificates for the purchase of rice by industrialist is still pending. A negative response from them could provoke protests from farmers, who say they are willing to take to the streets.

According to William Ureña, the vice president of the National Rice Corporation (CONARROZ) it is not fair that only the rice farmers have to yield in order to solve this age old problem in Costa Rica’s agricultural economy. "In my case alone, I have 18 thousand sacks which have not been placed on the market, and the harvest from the South is about to come in," declared Ureña to DiarioExtra.com.

In a letter sent on March 14th to Gloria Abraham, Minister of Agriculture, the National Assembly of Rice Producers expressed approval for the regions to lower the grain harvest from 83% to 60%. In this way the industry can import the remaining 40% using quotas and duty free tariffs for shortages, thereby allowing a "mix" in the final price.

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More on this topic

Costa Rica: Rice Crop Insurance Suspended

January 2016

Having been affected in the last two years by losses in this category, the state insurance provider has suspended the issuance of policies for rain fed rice harvests, and plans to make changes to the insurance terms.

Authorities at the Ministry of Agriculture plan to ask the National Insurance Institute (INS) to reconsider the measure in the North Huetar and Atlantic Huetar regions, where rice farmers are complaining that they have already planted a significant amount of land. Losses incurred by the state-run insurer with this policy in 2015 exceeded $4 million.

Costa Rica: Low Cost Insurance for Rice Crops

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The state has reduced insurance premiums for crop insurance for rainfed rice to $224, $197 and $149 per hectare for areas of high, medium and low risk, respectively.

Although the premium reduction is partly due to the request made by the rice sector, the reduction is not enough according to producers.

Costa Rica: Change in Rice Growing Zones

April 2014

Between 2008 and 2013 the size of areas sown with rice in the north of the country increased by 92% and in the Caribbean coast they declined by 86%.

The moisture level of the soil together with other related factors to climate and characteristics of each area have led rice farmers to shift the main areas of cultivation from the Atlantic region to the Northern region.

Rice Harvest Surpasses Processing Capacity

June 2010

Costa Rica has harvested more rice than usual, and processing plants are incapable of handling this increase.

“The tipping point will be August, when the south zone and Upala are harvested. Rice grains cannot be stored at manufacturing plants, as once it is harvested it must be immediately dried”, reported Nacion.com.

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