Dominican Rice Farmers Say US Imports Risk 300,000 Jobs
Dominican rice farmers warn that scrapping tariffs of up to 99% on US rice will depress prices, while the government vows not to abandon growers. The post Dominican Rice Farmers Say US Imports Risk 300,000 Jobs appeared first on The Rio Times .
Dominican rice farmers announced on Tuesday that the removal of tariffs shielding them from US rice imports threatens 300,000 jobs. The tariff repeal, requested by the United States, opens up a lucrative market of approximately 650,000 tonnes of rice annually. Marcelo Reyes Jorge, a representative of the national rice growers’ federation, described the measure as a "rice cyclone" for the agricultural sector.
Agriculture Minister Oliverio Espaillat assured the farmers that the government would not abandon them, announcing a meeting at the National Palace. Reyes Jorge warned that the end of tariffs would lead to a drop in prices, causing many producers to go bankrupt. He also expressed concern that if US imports flood the market, other staple crops like plantains, cassava, and sweet potatoes could see their prices fall.
As a result, more than 300,000 individuals who rely on rice for their livelihoods are expected to call for an emergency meeting. The National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (Confagro) criticized the repeal as a blow to national rice production, urging the government to provide a plan to protect producers and ensure a steady supply of rice.
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