Rice Production:Importers Say Nation’s Potential Needs Quick Exploitation

The Association of Rice Importers say they fear a looming price increase if things continue to unfold the way they are. The Secretary General of the association, Jacquis Kemleu raised the concern on Thursday June 17, 2021 in Yaounde, during a press conference on the availability of rice in the country. Jacquis Kemleu stated that Cameroon produces only 300,000 tons annually but needs 600,000 to meet the current needs. The 300,000-ton deficit is and has been covered by traders who have been importing it from other countries. He stated that the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rice producing countries, made matters worse. “Everyone, including farmers were asked to isolate themselves, and they did.Today the world is hungry but there is that farming gap which has been created, and food is running short,” the rice importers’ spokesman said. They added that associated expenses related to the scarcity of foreign currencies, increased transfer rates and port operations costs have made things compounded. To get out of the tight situation, the importers are calling on the government to create a link through commercial banks or the Bank of Central African States, to facilitate the transfer of funds.

The rice importers’ Secretary General regretted that government support in the form of subsidies and grants have largely been cosmetic. A remobilisation of the local production arsenal is the winning card, they hold. Using an anecdote, Jacquis Kemleu said it is embarrassing to know that rice which is largely imported into Cameroon ends up far cheaper that locally produced items like cocoyams, plantains and others. He stressed that investing more resources and making good use of the huge rice production capacity the country has, could change the narrative. 

The importers however reassured consumers that all varieties of rice are available, for now, and at the usual prices. “Customers and the Government can be reassured that, by the patriotic spirit shown by operators of this sector, especially members of the Importers’ Association, 25 per cent Burmese and Chinese Broken Rice, Indian and Pakistan rice and the five per cent Indian rice are available in quantity and quality, and at good prices,” they stated.

It is worth noting that before the 2008 uprising related to food shortages, rice importers were charged an importation due of 20 per cent their entire lot. That year, it dropped to zero and has now risen to five per cent.