187. Rice is a staple crop in the country of Bhupet, and enough is produced each year to both meet the country's demand and be a major export. This season, however, rice yields fell 20% due to infestation by rice blast fungus. Because rice commands a somewhat higher price on the export market than the domestic market, economists warn that the Bhupet people will not be able to buy the rice they need. In order to help the local economy, therefore, the Prime Minister of Bhupet has proposed distributing state-subsidized rice coupons to each citizen.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly calls into question the likelihood that implementation of the Prime Minister's proposal will have the desired consequence?