Paddy exports to Mexico will attract a 9 percent tariff

Last Updated on Monday, 2 November 2015, 22:23 by GxMedia

Guyana could soon be exporting paddy to Mexico but there would be a nine percent tariff on imports if businesses there decide to buy the grain, the Office of the Prime Minister said Monday.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the Mexican Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada has now given the assurance that he would fast track arrangements to buy Guyana’s paddy. 

“Further, he has made a commitment to encourage the private sector to enter into contracts with Guyanese millers.  Paddy imports carry a 9% tariff,” according to the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office.

Desperate efforts by Guyanese authorities and private millers and exporters to find new markets now that Venezuela is no longer buying rice and paddy from Guyana, and has since turned to Suriname for some of its supplies.

On October 27, the Office of the Prime Minister reported that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, whilst attending the Open Governance Summit in Mexico City, met with Minister Calzada, during which a commitment was made to buy some of the country’s paddy.

The new administration has prioritised assisting farmers to find alternative international markets, in light of the country’s continued production boom.

 The Mexico market is one of many being explored by the administration.

Guyana’s production in the first half of 2015 was 359,960 tonnes, 15.3 percent more than last year’s record high, first-half production of 312,283 tonnes.