Side-by-side sampling
Nov 14, 2017
TOKYO, JAPAN – Demand for U.S. medium grain rice by the foodservice industry in Japan is on the upswing as the first Simultaneous Buy-Sell (SBS) tender in 2017 was fully subscribed with U.S. rice gaining a 77 percent share of the 25,000 MT purchased. And on Friday, November 10, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced a second tender for 25,000 MT of rice to be held on November 29.
“A shortage of reasonably priced domestic rice, favored by the Japanese foodservice industry, is driving the demand,” said Jim Guinn, director of USA Rice Asia Promotion Programs. “Fortunately, buyers here have a good awareness of the quality and versatility of Calrose rice because USA Rice has been promoting U.S. medium grain rice in Japan since 2007.”
Just last week, USA Rice hosted a foodservice seminar here where Guinn provided an overview of production and exports of U.S. rice, and talked about U.S. industry initiatives to provide a quality and safe product for the domestic and international markets while maintaining water quality, protecting the environment, and providing habitat for 230 species of wildlife.
More than 70 attendees attended the seminar that featured technical information on the quality and versatility of U.S. rice, and a side-by-side sampling of two dishes made from Calrose and locally produced rice.