The request asked to deny entry authorization to 350,000 kilos of husked rice from Argentina, on the basis that it did not comply with the rule that stipulates that rice must be fortified in its country of origin.

An article on Nacion.com states: "They also appealed to the ministries of Foreign Trade, Economy and Health to have the grain confiscated.

But the Court ruled yesterday that the measures are not appropriate, because the food has already been distributed commercially. The fact that the petitions came too late was confirmed last night by the importation firm’s lawyer Douglas Allen and the producers’ representative, Oscar Campos.”

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

Rice in Costa Rica: The Poor Subsidizing The Rich

December 2014

The subsidy of $190 million paid by consumers "will not primarily go to producers but to large industrial companies which process domestic crops and who are, at the same time, importers."

In his blog on Elfinancierocr.com, Juan Carlos Hidalgo discusses the singular phenomenon that occurs in Costa Rica, where the rice policy initially intended to protect small rice producers, has become an unjust wealth transfer mechanism between sectors of society.

Panama Will Need to Import Rice Again

February 2012

Not being self sufficient, Panama will again need to import more than one million quintals from abroad from July in order to meet domestic demand this year.

The supply of rice for domestic consumption in Panama is guaranteed until July 2012 with existing stocks of 2.7 million quintals of clean, dry husks in warehouses, according data from the Authority for Consumer Protection and Competition (Acodeco), recorded from January 30th to February 3rd, 2012.

Rice Problem in Costa Rica Returns

January 2012

Producers are complaining about the government’s unfulfilled promises to place their crops in the market, and demanding an end to rice imports.

Producers in the Guanacaste area are protesting again, demanding that the government respects a promise agreed last November, which, according to the rice growers, would resolve the placement of more than five thousand tons of rice which has been stored in dry silos, both public and private, since September 2011.

Costa Rica Activate Barriers to Rice Imports

October 2011

In what seems to be a reaction caused by the rice lobby, the government is now requiring imported rice to be fortified in its country of origin.

11,400 quintals of grain loaded into 21 containers have been detained in the port of Limon, because they violate a rule which states that unhusked rice must have vitamins added to it in its country of origin.