Rice production in Panama continues to decline and the cost of basic food goods continue to rise.

The government has announced that it will pay up to $45 per quintal in order to supply food to solidarity programs.

The information was released by Oscar MacKay, deputy director of the Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA), adding that they currently have 1.3 million quintals in the national inventory, which will be enough to meet the demand for a couple of months.

According to MacKay, the country consumes 20 thousand quintals of rice per day, representing about 154 pounds per capita. The official explained that they will pay up to $45 for each quintal of rice.

Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that “the offer to purchase this product locally means for the institution a payout of $22 million, which will go to the domestic rice industry”.

Source: Panamaamerica.com.pa