The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) state has signed a memorandum of understanding to supply Jamaica with 60,000 tonnes of rice in 2009.

Industry and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda signed the deal on Friday in Georgetown, Guyana.

The rice agreement came after a spat between both countries over the supply of the commodity, a main staple in the Jamaican diet.

To import 4,000 tonnes

Last October, Samuda announced that Jamaica would be importing 4,000 tonnes of rice from Louisiana in the United States. He said at the time that Guyana was having problems meeting its supply quota. Samuda also moved to waive the external tariff on the importation of rice from non-CARICOM countries.

However, Guyana charged that the purchase of rice from Louisiana would contravene CARICOM trade rules.

The rice battle between Jamaica and Guyana continued into this year before a diplomatic solution was sealed through Friday's signing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Guyana is to supply Jamaica with an average of 5,000 tonnes of rice per month at market prices.