International Markets

Canada
Canada shares the world’s longest international border with the United States and is a top market for U.S. rice. Canada does not produce any rice. It grows wild rice, which is not a true rice, but the seed of an aquatic grass. The majority of rice on store shelves that is consumed in Canada is grown in the U.S. Essentially, U.S.-grown rice is as local as it gets for Canadians.
Central America
China
“Have you eaten rice yet?” is a common Chinese expression used as a way to say hello. Per capita rice consumption in China is estimated at 221 pounds per year, nearly 10 times U.S. per capita consumption and one of the highest in the world. China is the largest importer of rice, bringing in over 5 million tons annually. The U.S. rice industry has been working for over a decade to gain access to the Chinese market and while progress has been made, we are not yet to the finish line.
Colombia
Rice is a staple in Colombia whose 50 million people have a high domestic consumption level of more than 1.6 million tons per year. Traditional dishes such as Bandeja Paisa (white rice, red beans, ground beef, plantain, sausage, fried pork skin, corn patty, avocado, and a fried egg) can be found on the table year-round.
Cuba
Cuba is a small Caribbean island 93 miles south of Key West, Florida with a population of over 11 million. Once the number one export market for U.S. rice, exports evaporated when the U.S. imposed an embargo against Cuba. Given their large consumption of rice at 190 lbs per capita annually, Cuba remains a large consumer of rice and will be a top market for U.S. rice once again.
Ghana
Haiti
Haiti is a beautiful mountainous country that makes up the Western third of the island once known as Hispaniola, sharing a border with the Dominican Republic. Haitians prefer to eat rice on a daily basis, consuming about 115 lbs annually per capita.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong produces no rice yet eats nearly 100 pounds per capita annually and thus is dependent upon imports. Hong Kong is a truly open market (like the U.S.!) with no quantitative or qualitative restrictions and no tariffs on imported rice.
Iraq
Japan
Japan is the United States’ second largest milled rice export market in terms of volume and first in terms of value. Many rice farmers in California grow varieties such as Koshihikari, Akitakomachi or sweet rice specifically for the Japanese market though the majority of imports are Calrose. Japan has recently subsidized super premium quality rice and rice for feed use for domestic Japanese farmers, resulting in an insufficient supply of reasonably priced rice favored by the foodservice industry. This provides a large opportunity for imported rice, such as U.S. rice.
Jordan
Jordan is the largest single Arab market for U.S. medium grain rice exports and continues to be a growth market. Jordan is one of the four driest countries in the world, making the country heavily reliant on food imports including rice. Rice is a staple and the average yearly consumption is estimated at 53 lbs. per capita, yet the country produces no rice. The most popular national dish, mansaff, uses U.S. medium grain rice.
Mexico
Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. rice and has been for years. In 1994 they entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and the United States. Since then Mexico’s economy has grown exponentially. The country currently manages a $2.4 trillion economy, which is 11th largest in the world. Mexico’s population of nearly 125 million people is a critical component of U.S. trade.
Saudi Arabia
Rice is the main dish in Saudi Arabia and is usually served twice daily. Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s second largest importer of long grain rice; they do not produce rice and thus depend entirely on imports. Rice is imported freely by private companies, with zero import duty and no import subsidies.
Singapore
South Korea
South Korea is a country of 51 million and is the second largest market for U.S. rice in Asia. Per capita consumption is estimated at 136 pounds per year but is declining. South Korea imported 152,000 MT of U.S. rice in 2017.
Taiwan
Taiwan has a population of 23.5 million and per capita rice consumption is estimated at 97.9 pounds per year. The U.S. is the largest rice supplier to Taiwan, accounting for about half of their imports. Taiwan has in recent years imported U.S. Calrose, Southern medium grain, long grain and glutinous rice from the U.S.
Turkey

Turkey grows rice; however, it is not enough to satisfy domestic demand which has been increasing over the past several years. Recently, there has been a good deal of uncertainty in the market due to the tense political and economic situation which has led to the rapid depreciation of the Turkish Lira against foreign currencies and an increase in interest rates.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is the single largest market for U.S. rice sales in the European Union, mostly importing U.S. long grain rice, as well as some medium grain rice for sushi. In 2017, the UK imported 678,000 MT of rice, with India being the largest single supplier, mostly Basmati rice. The USA is the eighth largest exporter with a 4 percent market share.
West Bank

Recent News

Healthy-Foodscape with colorful vegetables surrounding a bowl of mixed wild & brown rice — Availability and access to nutritious foods and beverages that support healthy living is important for all people

Dec 20, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Scientific Report was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The basis for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the independent report, intended to advise policy makers and health professionals, is an outline of how Americans can improve their overall eating patterns for a healthier lifestyle following more than two years of examining evidence.

“USA Rice is pleased with the findings from the Scientific Report and overall implications for rice,” said Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice vice president of domestic promotion. “No proposed modification to the grain category is a significant accomplishment and a result of years of evidence-based efforts to inform the DGAC about the nutritional value of both whole and refined grains and the role of refined grains for culturing eating patterns along with its universal acceptance and accessibility.”

Throughout the report’s multi-year review process, USA Rice played an active advisory role attending all DGAC public meetings, working alongside industry coalitions, orchestrating the written submission of comments to the DGAC by nutrition experts on behalf of rice, and securing an oral testimony in front of the DGAC by rice farmer and miller, Sam Schnieder, chair of the USA Rice Nutrition Subcommittee.

In total, USA Rice submitted seven sets of written comments following each meeting expressing support of enriched, milled rice in boosting intakes of folic acid and iron, which were noted by the DGAC as being nutrients of public health concern. The comments also advocated for the availability, affordability, and importance of rice as a driver for other healthy foods including vegetables, lean meat, and beans as well as solid, powerful evidence of the research on rice in maintaining health and preventing disease worldwide.

“We made the case on a number of fronts for the DGAC to advise HHS and USDA that U.S.-grown rice, in all forms, be an integral part of a healthy diet for Americans of all ages and backgrounds,” said Jacobs. “And the current DGAC report provides nutrition recommendations that are largely positive for rice.”

Additionally, the DGAC recommended a single inclusive, flexible, way of eating called the Eat Healthy Your Way Dietary Pattern. The report maintained enriched, refined grains prominently featured in the diets of Americans, while advocating for consumers to choose more whole grains, recommending 6 ounces of grains daily with at least half of them being whole grains.

The final 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines will serve as the federal recommendations for Americans to achieve and maintain healthy diets and eating patterns, and helps shape the requirements for all federal food programs featuring rice and rice products such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

The next phase of the review includes a 30-day public written comment period and an oral comment opportunity. Should USA Rice be selected to provide oral comments, Cameron Jacobs is scheduled to testify on the organization’s behalf on January 16, 2025, as the DGAC completes its final review.

Publication of the final 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is expected later in early 2025.