St Vincent writes Guyana about rice supply challenges

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves says he has written President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali to request assistance regarding one of SVG’s main commodities, rice.  

Speaking on Wednesday’s Face to Face programme on NBC Radio, Gonsalves said his country has been experiencing challenges with getting rice from its suppliers in Guyana.  

The St Vincent Prime Minister explained the rice supply challenges are due to some production breakdowns in Guyana, some missed shipments and a high percentage of damaged paddy to the current crop due to a particular bug infestation.  

The prime minister said if these challenges are being experienced now, St Vincent and the Grenadines will have to be careful as the island does not want to be affected by shortages between October to Christmas.  

He said the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) will have to begin looking for some more alternative suppliers for rice, such as Brazil.  

Gonsalves was speaking on the issue of food security when he expressed concern about the island’s rice supply.