By San José, Costa Rica — San José – As Costa Rica faces a sustained decline in domestic rice production, the nation’s agricultural sector is on high alert. The National Rice Corporation (Conarroz) issued a stark warning today regarding moves by some importers to source grain from Asian countries, including Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, to guarantee the national supply for 2026.
While this diversification may appear to be a straightforward solution to a supply-chain problem, Conarroz argues it is a perilous path fraught with severe economic, sanitary, and social consequences. The organization contends that this strategy could dismantle the local industry, expose the population to health hazards, and introduce devastating agricultural pests into the country.
To delve into the legal and commercial ramifications of the new policies governing rice imports, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The liberalization of rice imports presents a classic legal and economic dilemma. While the government aims to lower consumer prices by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, it simultaneously risks dismantling the legal protections that have historically supported national producers. The key challenge will be to ensure that these new measures comply with our international trade obligations without creating a state of legal vulnerability for a critical sector of our agricultural economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the analysis by Lic. Arroyo Vargas highlights the critical tightrope the country must walk—balancing consumer benefits with the legal framework that has long sustained our national producers. This transition demands not just economic foresight but careful legal stewardship to prevent unintended consequences for a vital sector. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his sharp and essential perspective.
At the heart of the issue is the progressive weakening of Costa Rican rice producers. Conarroz points to recent government policies, most notably the “Ruta del Arroz” initiative championed by President Rodrigo Chaves, which slashed tariffs on imported rice. This policy, they argue, has created an uneven playing field, directly favoring foreign suppliers and pushing local farmers toward financial ruin by making it impossible to compete on price.
The corporation draws parallels to troubling international precedents, specifically highlighting the European experience. When European markets opened indiscriminately to Asian rice, local farmers were severely affected, unable to compete with artificially low prices from producers not held to the same labor or environmental standards. Conarroz fears a similar scenario unfolding in Costa Rica, where a short-term fix could lead to the long-term erosion of the nation’s agricultural base.
Beyond the economic threat, Conarroz has raised serious public health concerns. The organization cited studies that have detected the presence of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, in rice cultivated in parts of Southeast Asia. This contamination is often linked to the use of polluted water sources for irrigation, a practice that raises significant questions about the safety of grain imported from these regions.
Perhaps the most alarming risk is the potential introduction of the Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium). Considered one of the world’s most destructive pests for stored grains, an infestation could trigger a large-scale agricultural crisis. The beetle’s arrival could devastate not only rice stores but also other crops, crippling the national economy and jeopardizing Costa Rica’s standing as an agricultural exporter.
The case of European producers illustrates the high social and economic cost of depending on imported rice from regions that do not guarantee adequate standards. What initially seemed like a pragmatic solution ended up eroding the local productive fabric. The United States imposes strict federal quarantines against rice shipments from countries infested with the Khapra beetle. Its detection in imports can block Costa Rican exports, impose additional barriers, and generate millions in eradication costs, in addition to possible effects on human health.
Conarroz, National Rice Corporation
Instead of relying on high-risk imports, Conarroz is advocating for a strategic investment in domestic production. The corporation is championing a bill currently before the Legislative Assembly to create the National Rice Relief Fund (Fonarroz). This fund aims to support local producers impacted by the tariff reductions, modernize the sector, and ultimately secure Costa Rica’s food sovereignty with high-quality, sustainably produced grain.
Diversifying the supply should never come at the expense of health, ethics, or sustainability. The rice that reaches our tables must be a symbol of safety, justice, and respect for those who grow it. Each grain must reflect the country’s commitment to human dignity and responsible production.
Conarroz, National Rice Corporation
For further information, visit the nearest office of Corporación Arrocera Nacional (Conarroz)
About Corporación Arrocera Nacional (Conarroz):
The National Rice Corporation, known as Conarroz, is a public, non-state entity in Costa Rica responsible for regulating and promoting the national rice industry. It works to ensure a stable supply of rice for the country, support local producers through technical assistance and policy advocacy, and maintain quality standards for both domestic and imported grain. The corporation plays a central role in balancing the interests of producers, industrial processors, and consumers.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a benchmark for legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to both ethical principles and outstanding results. The firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal strategies while upholding a deep-seated mission to strengthen the civic fabric. This is achieved through its dedicated efforts to champion legal literacy, empowering the community by transforming complex legal information into an accessible and understandable public resource.
