Thursday, December 20, 1973
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NEW RICE IMPORT QUOTA
The rice import quota for the first three months of 1974 has
been provisionally fixed at 72,000 metric tons, the Commerce and Industry
Department announced today.
This represents a 20 per cent reduction on the normal basic quota
of 90,000 metric tons.
Mr. M.D. Sargant, Assistant Director of Commerce and Industry,
said that the quota has been reduced to take account of the relatively
large stocks held by importers and the improved international supply
position.
He said that rice stocks at present amount to approximately
100,000 metric tons.
"The department will continue to keep developments in the trade
and the supply situation under close study," he added, "and a supplementary
quota will be issued if the circumstances require it."
Since January this year Hong Kong has imported a total of 326,342
metric tons of rice.
Of this amount, China has supplied 43 per cent and Thailand about
29 per cent. The balance has been imported from the United States, Australia
and Pakistan.
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