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Colombia’s agriculture minister on Tuesday confirmed the government will import rice to prevent a possible increase in the price following the destruction of crops by this year’s extended rainy season.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, Minister Juan Camilo Restrepo said there will be a “Controlled and limited” import of rice to make sure there will be no shortage in supply.
“The rice will be imported in punctual cuantities,” the minister said, adding that the government will not allow the sale of this rice unless there is a shortage of domestically cultivated rice.
Some 680,000 hectares of farm land have been destroyed by rains, landslides and floods as a result of excessive rainfall since March, the government says.
