Akim Kovalev
Minister Carlos Fávaro Highlights the Importance of Rice Reserve Stocks
During a public hearing at the Commission of Agriculture, Livestock, Supply, and Rural Development (CAPADR), the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, emphasized the government’s initiatives to stabilize rice supply and prices in response to the recent severe weather impacts on rice production in southern Brazil.
On June 19, Minister Carlos Fávaro of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock participated in a public hearing at the CAPADR in Brasília, discussing the urgent need for rice imports due to heavy rains in the South affecting Rio Grande do Sul’s production.
Minister Fávaro highlighted that for several years, there hasn’t been a single kilogram of rice in reserve stocks to counteract speculative movements in the market. To address this, he announced plans to conduct a new auction to replenish these stocks. This auction will feature new participation rules for companies, formulated with the assistance of the General Comptroller of the Union (CGU) and the Attorney General of the Union (AGU).
The revised auction guidelines for purchasing imported rice will ensure that the National Supply Company (Conab) pre-qualifies participating companies. “The qualification process will now involve Conab beforehand to ensure that we know the participants’ delivery capacities in advance,” said Minister Fávaro.
During the hearing, Fávaro reinforced that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) oversees the inspection of imported food products through the International Agricultural Surveillance System (Vigiagro). International laws and agreements ensure the quality, safety, and compliance of imported goods, including rice. He reassured that the Federal Government’s role is to bring price stability rather than compete with Brazilian producers.
Additionally, Fávaro highlighted the work of Mapa’s Itinerant Office, which is assessing the primary damages and recovery measures in affected agricultural areas, and the Federal Government’s actions in supporting Rio Grande do Sul.
Support measures for the state’s agriculture include:
- The Emergency Program for the Reconstruction of Agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul (PERSul)
- Partnerships with the Rural Technical Assistance and Extension Company (Emater) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) to provide technology to farmers
- The installation of Embrapa’s Itinerant Office, currently in the diagnostic phase
- Immediate suspension of farmers’ debts until August 15
These initiatives aim to provide immediate support to affected farmers, promoting recovery and economic stability in the region.
