Second Year of Virtual U.S.-Japan Rice Technical Meetings

SACRAMENTO, CA – Surging cases of COVID-19 in Tokyo could not stop the 24th annual U.S.-Japan rice technical meetings from being held, albeit, virtually.  Once again, U.S. exporters gathered at a central location here to meet via video conference with importers in Japan for bilateral technical discussions.

“We were disappointed that we were forced into a second year of virtual meetings with our Japanese counterparts, but the ability to continue cooperative conversations is important for our trading relationship,” said Alex Balafoutis, chair of the U.S. delegation and executive vice president of Western Foods.

The impact of the drought in California on 2021 rice production was of particular interest to importers, in addition to the usual conversation centered around the upcoming tendering schedule, supply and demand trends, export trends, measures of quality control, and maximum residue levels, among other topics.

“The meeting was certainly useful and again, a temporary solution, but not a replacement for in-person relationship building,” said Balafoutis.  “We are confident that 2022 will bring more certainty and lifted travel restrictions, allowing the U.S. exporters and Japanese rice importers to reunite for the 25th annual meeting.”