Market Overview
Japan is the second largest market for U.S. milled rice and the number one milled rice market in terms of value, importing exclusively japonica-type rice from the U.S. World Trade Organization commitments require Japan to import 682,000 MT of rice annually, of which the U.S. ships about 50%. A maximum of 100,000 tons of imported rice reaches the commercial market in unbroken form thus market access improvements are required to allow true market access for U.S. rice. Because the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was ratified excluding the U.S., additional access for U.S. rice into Japan is a priority for the U.S. rice industry in the upcoming U.S.-Japan negotiations.
USA Rice Activities
Due to an insufficient supply of reasonably priced rice favored by the foodservice industry, USA Rice has recently focused on this segment in our promotional activities. Activities include menu presentations to foodservice entities to provide them with recipes and menu ideas that utilized U.S. rice. USA Rice also provides promotional materials to hotels and restaurants, has a robust social media presence and an annual chefs competition attracting hundreds of professional and student chefs.