A number of economic experts attributed the increase in the prices of rice to a cultivation deficit and smuggling to abroad, proposing different solutions to lower prices. Egyptian Economist Samir Tobar said that current price volatility facing Egypt since the January 25 revolution led to large-scale rice smuggling. He added that Egypt exported rice to a number of countries at low prices in the absence of governmental supervision. Tobar demanded oversight of Egyptian ports to prevent smuggling and to supervise exports in order to control prices. Economist Dr. Mukhtar Sherif viewed Egypt's reduced share of Nile water as principle cause of the reduction in rice cultivation. He also fingered the Egyptian government for imposing huge fines after cultivating the crop annually. He said that a rice deficit could lead to a price increase. He demanded the government support rice farmers and to decrease fines which he considers the main obstacle to increased production. Abdel Rahman al-Alyan, economist, demanded that the Egyptian government import the rice from India if prices continue to rise to provide for the needs of Egyptian citizens.
