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

6Seeds-Founder-Andreas-Duess on stage at 2024 RMA in Maui — 6Seeds Founder Andres Duess on stage at last week's RMA Convention

Jun 24, 2024

MAUI, HI – The USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA), one of the oldest agribusiness organizations in the U.S., gathered here last week for their 124th convention for strategic planning, a Board of Directors meeting, networking events, and enlightening and provocative presentations on important topics.

As in recent years, shortcomings with Class 1 railroad service and needed ocean shipping reform was a burning topic; as was export competitiveness, hampered by bad actors and trade cheats such as India and others. U.S. grain quality and supporting research dominated many conversations, and of course, the status of the 2024 Farm Bill and food safety and labeling regulations also factored heavily in meetings.

“I was heartened by how we can come to this event, from different parts of the country and industry, neighbors and competitors, put our differences aside, and work for the common good of our industry as a whole,” said Meryl Kennedy Farr, president & CEO of Kennedy Rice and chair of RMA who presided over the strategy session, board meeting, and general sessions. “Our world is complicated and constantly changing, but I’m confident the RMA is united in addressing our industry’s issues, up and down the supply chain for the long-term viability of the industry and rural economies.”

USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann started the General Session with an overview of recent achievements and his outlook on challenges that lay ahead, noting that he is optimistic for the industry. Then, Andreas Duess, co-founder and general manager of business intelligence company 6Seeds, explained how his firm is able to use AI, machine learning, and human experts to analyze more than 30 billion food and beverage data points every day to spot trends, differentiate them from fads, and help their clients succeed.

“Andreas was a captivating speaker with many real-world examples of how together humans and AI can get ahead and stay there in the food space,” said Mississippi farmer and USA Rice Chair Kirk Satterfield who attended and provided his own update on the state of the farm economy and rice crop during the General Session. “We’ve actually invited Andreas to speak at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in December, and I know it’s going to be a hot ticket!”

Finally, David Wasserman, senior editor and election analyst for The Cook Report with Amy Walter, took the stage to break down the 2024 elections and share his legendary insights into key House and Senate races, and of course, the race for the White House.

“David’s mix of data science, observation, experience, and humor was really enlightening,” said Farr. “There’s a reason he’s one of the most respected and sought after election analysts in the world and we were so fortunate to have him.”

The convention concluded with several traditions for the 125-year-old organization including recognizing industry leaders who passed away during the previous 12 months, words of greeting and encouragement from the 86th International Rice Festival Queen Isabella Hardy of Lacassine, Louisiana, the presentation of the RMA Chair Elect, Rick Rhody, president and CEO of Farmers’ Rice Cooperative in Sacramento, California, whose two-year term begins later this year, and reflections from outgoing chair Meryl Kennedy Farr.

“I am honored to have been entrusted by my colleagues to lead this organization for the past two years,” she said. “The organization and the industry mean so much to me, I can’t wait to see where we go from here, but I know it will be up!”

Farr thanked the many sponsors and exhibitors and invited everyone to attend next year’s 125th RMA Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado next summer.