XN000022-1972-12-17 — Page 3

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Sunday, December 17, 1972

RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1973

The Commerce and Industry Department today announced that the

rice import quota for the first quarter of 1973 had been provisionally

fixed at 90,200 metric tons, 2.5 per cent above the basic quota 88,000

metric tons.

Commenting on the quota, a spokesman for the Department said

rice consumption in the winter months is usually higher because of the

cooler weather. The slight increase in the quota takes account of these

circumstances.

The Department would keep developments in the rice trade under

close review, and might issue a supplementary quota during the quarter

should circumstances so warranted, the spokesman said.

In the eleven months of this year, Hong Kong imported 335,073

metric tons of rice. Of this amount, Thailand supplied 65 per cent and

China 28 per cent.

The remainder came mainly from Australia, Burma and

U.S.A.

Release time: 3.00 p.m.