• USA Rice Meets with China’s Largest Rice Importer at HOFEX 2017

    Jun 29, 2017

    As USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue makes a high profile trip to China this week heralding resumption of U.S. beef exports there, USA Rice continues to strengthen trade ties in the region by participating in events like HOFEX, Asia’s leading food and hospitality tradeshow. At the show in May, USA Rice met with China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO), a state-owned enterprise that is the largest food company in China, and consequently the largest importer of rice. Full story
  • IP.w-Venezuela-A-Country-in-Chaos-170628 Venezuela – A Country in Chaos

    Jun 28, 2017

    CARACAS, VENEZUELA -- Venezuela, one of the world’s most oil-rich countries has become one of the poorest and most dysfunctional over the last few years. It is a nation in crisis. Over 90 percent of their export earnings are derived from petrochemicals, the price of which has plummeted over the last several years. The low price of oil brings into question how much longer the Petrocaribe Agreement, an oil alliance between Venezuela and several Caribbean states, can last and with it, Venezuela’s influence in the Caribbean and Latin America. Full story
  • GA.w-It's-time-to-ditch-the-rule-170628 EPA to Propose Repeal of WOTUS

    Jun 28, 2017

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that they plan to rescind the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule of 2015 and temporarily revert back to the rule in place prior to 2015. Full story
  • Group shot of Leadership Class & star of TV show Swamp-People Rice Foundation Accepting Applications for 2018 Rice Leadership Development Program

    Jun 28, 2017

    The Rice Foundation is accepting applications for the 2018 Rice Leadership Development Program. Rice producers or industry-related professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 are eligible to apply for the program. The application deadline is October 7. Full story
  • Trend Spotting – Choose Rice

    Jun 26, 2017

    Who doesn’t love to be first with The Next Big Thing, especially if you’re in business and being at the front end of a trend translates into profit? The key is knowing what’s going to appeal to consumers even before they do and that means being attuned to trends in their behavior. Full story
  • USA Rice and Jewel-Osco ‘Build a Better Basket’

    Jun 23, 2017

    USA Rice recently wrapped up a partnership with retail dietitians at Jewel-Osco, a supermarket chain with stores across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. During the May promotion that coincided with Celiac Awareness Month, U.S.-grown rice was featured as a smart choice for shoppers following a gluten-free diet. Through Jewel-Osco Dietitians’ “Build a Better Basket” program, shoppers were introduced to U.S.-grown rice health benefits, versatility, and recipes through a print newsletter and blog, social media posts, weekly ad circular, and in-store point-of-sale signage. Full story
  • U.S. Paddy Allowed Unhindered Access into Colombia

    Jun 22, 2017

    On June 6, 2017, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) published “Official Resolution #6705 of 2017” which removed a previous resolution that restricted imported U.S. paddy rice to the port of Barranquilla. The previous resolution also implemented phytosanitary measures for the transportation of U.S. paddy rice and for the management of residues (such as husks) after being milled in Colombia. These mitigation procedures and restrictions to one port in Colombia are now null and void. Full story
  • Iraq Extends Agreement on U.S. Rice

    Jun 21, 2017

    USA Rice orchestrated a coordinated effort with U.S. State Department and Embassy officials here to ensure the extension of the U.S.-Iraq Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for rice that was set to expire last week. It has now been confirmed that the MOU has been extended by the government of Iraq until January 2018. The extension means exporters of U.S.-grown rice will have additional opportunities to make sales to Iraq through January of next year. Full story
  • USTR Ag Negotiator Nominated and Acting Deputy Under Secretaries at USDA Named to Keep the Ball Moving

    Jun 20, 2017

    A key trade figure has been nominated and acting undersecretaries named. Full story
  • CA miller Alex Balafoutis shakes hands with and gives plaque to LA miller Robert Trahan USA Rice Millers’ Association Announces New Chairman, Vice Chairman

    Jun 19, 2017

    Last week, the USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA) announced the election of Alex Balafoutis, Vice President of Sales for the Rice Business Unit at PGP International in Woodland, California, and Keith Gray, Vice President of Supply Chain at Riviana Foods, as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. Each will serve a two-year term that begins August 1, 2017. Full story
  • DP-USA Rice Welcomes Cameron Jacobs-170619 USA Rice Welcomes Cameron Jacobs

    Jun 19, 2017

    Cameron Jacobs joins the Domestic Promotion team. Full story
  • U.S. Rice Makes an Impression at the Friendly Culture Fair in Mexico

    Jun 16, 2017

    USA Rice participated in the International Fair of Friendly Cultures in Mexico City to promote U.S. rice at the most widely attended festival yet. Full story
  • Trump Changes Course on Cuba; Impact to Ag Unclear

    Jun 16, 2017

    Trump Changes Course on Cuba; Impact to Ag UnclearPresident Trump is asking the Treasury and Commerce Departments to revise policies regarding Cuba. The impact is unclear, but could have a chilling effect on agriculture trade. Full story
  • GA.w-2017-Ag-Census-Logo-170418 Census of Agriculture Sign-Up Deadline June 30

    Jun 15, 2017

    The 2017 Census of Agriculture deadline is fast approaching. Sign up to be counted today! Full story
  • As Warmer Weather Invades Canada, So Too Do New Rice Recipes

    Jun 14, 2017

    USA Rice Canada has taken advantage of a seasonal shift in Canadian eating habits to reach out to consumers with new rice recipes and concepts. Full story
  • Perdue, Ag Priorities, and Seersucker Come Together at Delta Council Meeting

    Jun 13, 2017

    Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the featured guest at the Delta Council Annual Meeting explained that collaborating, eliminating, innovating, and celebrating are his four action words for rebuilding struggling rural communities in the country. Full story
  • USA Rice to Administration: Do No Harm in NAFTA Modernization

    Jun 12, 2017

    USA Rice reminded the Trump Administration that NAFTA remains a win for U.S. rice and urged negotiators to be mindful of the benefits the agreement has brought and to do no harm as it is modernized. Full story
  • USDA Logo WASDE Report Released

    Jun 09, 2017

    U.S. 2016/17 rice ending stocks are lowered 2 million cwt this month on increased exports. Milled exports for 2016/17 are raised 4 million cwt on strong demand particularly in the Middle East. However, rough exports for 2016/17 are lowered 2 million cwt on a correction in Census data for shipments to El Salvador; the correction also led to a slight reduction in 2015/16 rough exports. Full story
  • Congressional Hearing Slams Proposed Food Aid Cuts

    Jun 09, 2017

    Earlier this week the House Committee on Agriculture convened a hearing on the FY2018 budget proposal from President Trump that calls for the elimination of both the Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole Food For Education food assistance programs. The slate of witnesses represented almost every aspect of the food assistance delivery chain from farmer to processor, implementer (humanitarian organizations and Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs)), and the maritime industry that brings the commodities from U.S. ports to their final destinations. Full story
  • IP.w-Fecarroz-Mtg-in-Miami-170608 USA Rice Continues Dialog with Customers in Key Central American Markets

    Jun 08, 2017

    A USA Rice delegation met with leaders of Fecarroz, the Central America Rice Federation, here this week for wide-ranging discussions on the current rice market situation and export opportunities, as well as concerns Fecarroz members wanted to raise with their U.S. counterparts that vary by country. Full story

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