In statements to local media, Luis Hernandez, from the National Storage Unit (UNA), confirmed that the only inventory of supplies that the public company had was 55,000 quintals of rice, which disappeared from its assets.

Incidentally, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Eduardo Izaguirre said on Wednesday that Ecuador will import 30,000 tons of rice as a measure to guarantee food sovereignty within the framework of a Prevention and Preparation Plan to mitigate the damages caused by this climate event.

The official stated that the grain will arrive from Colombia and might also be imported from Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay.

We have import options that offer us quality grain and above all at zero tariffs, because we need to maintain the price of rice so that this effectively solves the problem of demand, Izaguirre told the Ecuavisa channel.

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