The Essential Food Importers Association has revealed that orders for four shipments of rice, each ranging between 25,000 to 30,000 tons, have been placed with suppliers in India.
These orders were made by Pettah wholesale importers following the government’s approval for the private sector to import rice as an emergency measure to address the ongoing rice shortage in the country.
However, importers are now facing challenges due to the limited timeframe provided by the government for the imports. As a result, only a small portion of the ordered rice is expected to arrive, leaving much of the funds tied up in pending shipments.
Importers have expressed concerns that unless the government extends the import window, the full quantity of rice might not reach the local market in time to stabilize supply and control prices.
The Essential Food Importers Association is urging the government to provide additional time and logistical support to ensure the timely arrival of the rice shipments, which are crucial to alleviating the current shortage and preventing further price hikes.
