Brazil: Government resumes discussions on rice imports amid decision to plant the next crop

The rice market in Brazil is currently stagnant, with negotiations in the background and prices remaining stable. "The focus of agents in the production chain remains on preparations for the next harvest, reflecting a cautious approach amid the uncertainties that hover over the sector", explains Safras & Mercado analyst and consultant, Evandro Oliveira. A significant factor in this uncertainty is the recent stance of the Federal Government, which once again signaled its intention to intervene in the rice market. Recent statements indicate that the government "is far from giving up" on grain imports to increase domestic supply, especially in the North and Northeast regions of the country, with the aim of reducing prices considered high. "Such a policy has generated growing concerns among producers, who see the insistence on intervention as a huge disincentive, especially at a delicate time when many are still recovering from the losses caused by extreme weather events in the South ...