Ecuador began Friday to export 30,000 tons of rice and 20,000 tons of corn to Venezuela, Ecuadorian Agriculture Minister Ramon Espinel said. The first load of 8,000 tons of rice was sent to Venezuela, in order to alleviate the pain of the Ecuadorian producers who have between 150,000 and 200,000 tons of excessive rice in stock. Ecuador suspended in June 2008 its rice exports to Colombia and Peru due to a speculation wave after the seasonal flooding which resulted in the price rise at the domestic market. In April 2009, Ecuador resumed its rice exports to the two neighbors.

Ecuador also negotiated the export of 20,000 tons of corn to Venezuela. The first load is to be shipped in September.  The Ecuadorian agriculture authorities reported a corn overproduction of about 70,000 tons due to the import from the United States and the failed export to neighboring countries.

Source:Xinhua