Argentina in the first ten months of 2006 exported 376.000 tons of rice valued at US$ 98 million, half of which to Mercosur partner Brazil, which is also its main trading partner.
SENASA, Argentina's phytosanitary watchdog said in a report that Brazil, among the world's leading ten economies, purchased 194.000 tons of Argentine rice for US$ 48 million.
Uruguay another leading exporter of top quality rice is a significant supplier of Brazil.
Argentine exports in January-October 2006 exceeded those of the whole 2005, when 360.000 tons equivalent to US$ 88 million were shipped overseas.
In January-October 2005 Argentina exported 293.000 tons for US$ 72 million, a 28% increase in volume and 36% increase in revenue, reports SENASA.
Chile, an associate member of Mercosur, was the second-largest buyer of Argentine rice, with 77.000 tons valued at US$ 20 million.
Other large buyers in the first ten months of 2006 were Iraq (31.000 tons for US$ 10 million), Haiti (21.000 tons for US$ 6.4 million)and Senegal (14.700 tons for US$ 3 million).
Mercopress