A shipment of 20,000 tonnes of paddy rice from Guyana containing live bugs was identified by the Brazilian phytosanitary authorities when vessel docked in southern port of Imbituba. The sanitary inspection prevented the unloading at the port and the ship had to unberth and start fumigation procedures for pest control on the high seas, from where it will only be able to return after eight days and undergo another rigorous inspection.
In periods of shortage, Brazil traditionally acquires rice from Mecosul partners, such as Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Due to the unprecedented situation this year, the Brazilian government zeroed the import tax from other countries, allowing rice from non-traditional partners like Guyana, the USA, India and Thailand.