The decision to open the door for rice exports, which was issued by the previous government, has harmed farmers and disrupted the local market, according the head of the Farmers' Syndicate.
Ragab Shehata of the Federation of Industries’ Grains Division said not a single ton was exported since the decision was made.
He said the price of brown rice went up from LE1,750 to LE1,850 per ton,and white rice from LE2,700 and LE3,000 to LE2,800 and LE3,200 per ton, depending on the quality.
Shehata said the government makes profits of up to LE1 billion from rice production.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
