• Ministry considers both consumer needs & industry demands

While the Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association has raised concerns that the ongoing shortage of rice in Sri Lanka is being exacerbated by the increased diversion of raw rice into beer production, the Ministry of Agriculture has planned to implement a system to minimise locally produced rice being used for purposes other than consumption as food.

According to the Association’s Chairperson, U.K. Semasinghe, the rice used in beer production is primarily sourced from ‘nadu’ paddy, a key variety in the country.

“Raw rice is essential for beer production, but it comes from the ‘nadu’ paddy. When a greater portion of this paddy is allocated for the production of beer, the supply of paddy for regular Nadu rice production diminishes,” Semasinghe explained, highlighting the adverse impact on rice availability.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (10), Ministry of Agriculture Secretary M.P.N.M. Wickremesinghe stated that the Ministry of Agriculture is developing a regulatory framework to minimise the domestic use of rice for non-consumption purposes. He acknowledged the need for a balanced approach that considers both consumer needs and industry demands. "We cannot ask them (beer manufacturers) not to use rice to manufacture beer. Instead, we can take measures like using imported rice for beer manufacture. That should be done by the manufacturers," he added.

This approach, he added, could alleviate the pressure on local rice supplies by ensuring that domestically produced rice remains available for consumers. Wickremesinghe also reassured that the Government is aware of the issue and is actively pursuing measures to ensure that locally produced rice is prioritised for consumption.

The rice shortage has resulted in a surge in prices, with ‘nadu’ rice becoming notably scarce in recent weeks. In a bid to address the crisis, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently met with major rice distributors, reaching an agreement to maintain controlled rice prices in retail markets. This move aims to ease the burden on consumers, who have been significantly affected by the rising cost of staple foods amid the current shortage.