Rice order from Mexico

The lot comes under its import quota, which accounts for a quarter of the country's total import volume of 1.02 million tonnes.

Mexico imports 80 per cent of its total rice needs, mainly from Italy, Uruguay, Thailand and the US, its biggest supplier.

Noppadol Thongmee, director of the Thai Trade Centre in Mexico, said yesterday that Thai rice exporters should study the stringent import restrictions in Mexico to ensure market access.

Mexico imposes import duties - 9 per cent for paddy rice, 10 per cent for broken rice and 20 per cent on long-grain rice.

The Mexican government also requires fumigation, which means rice imported from any country should be certified by the Agriculture Department before and after being packed in bags.