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

Kevin McGilton and Rick Crawford — Riceland Foods President and CEO Kevin McGilton (left) and Rep. Rick Crawford

Aug 24, 2026

STUTTGART, AR – Leaders from Riceland Foods and Producers Rice Mill met with Congressman Rick Crawford here on Wednesday to discuss growing concerns over rising rice imports, international trade policy, and federal actions needed to protect the competitiveness of U.S. rice farmers. Directors and staff from both cooperatives emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong domestic rice industry as foreign rice imports continue to gain market share in the United States.

Riceland Foods President and CEO Kevin McGilton said imports have more than doubled since 2005 and are on pace to exceed 50 percent of the U.S. domestic market share by 2033.

“Imported rice makes up about 30 percent of the domestic market share, driven primarily by long grain rice, with the majority being aromatics like Thai jasmine and Indian Basmati,” McGilton said. “We are encouraged by ongoing discussions surrounding Section 301 investigations into rice imports, but immediate action is imperative to protect our domestic rice market.”

Producers Rice Mill CEO Keith Glover expressed his growing concern about losing markets due to international competition.

"Our growers operate in a highly competitive global marketplace, and every year we see additional pressure from imported rice that often enters under a different set of standards and costs of production," Glover said. "Protecting opportunities for U.S.-grown rice is critical to preserving the markets that sustain family farms and rural communities across Arkansas."

Members and staff from the two cooperatives also discussed rising production costs, challenges facing Arkansas' rice infrastructure, workforce availability, and the long-term outlook for U.S. rice competitiveness.

Rich Hillman, Riceland’s chairman of the board of directors, expressed deep concern about current trade policy and its potential to have devastating effects on rice growers in Arkansas.

“For the U.S. rice industry, fair trade is a top priority. American producers compete against global players who ignore and violate their World Trade Organization
obligations, putting our farmers at a severe disadvantage,” Hillman said. “Maintaining a resilient and competitive agricultural sector is certainly a major part of national security, but this requires a strong domestic policy and enforceable trade rules.”

Congressman Crawford expressed his shared concerns about current trade policies and emphasized that his work centers on supporting Arkansas farmers by advancing policies that provide the necessary domestic market support.

"Arkansas rice farmers are among the most productive and efficient producers in the world, but they need a level playing field," Crawford said. "The concerns raised by Riceland and Producers Rice Mill leadership underscore the urgency of addressing the growing impact of imported rice on the domestic market. I remain committed to working with the Administration, USTR, and my colleagues in Congress on solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. rice production and support farm families across Arkansas."

Jay Coker, chairman of the board of directors of Producers Rice Mill, expressed his gratitude to Congressman Crawford for his efforts to support rice farmers in the first congressional district during these challenging times.

"We appreciate Congressman Crawford's willingness to listen to producers and engage on the issues affecting rice farming," Coker said. "Strong farm policy, fair trade enforcement, and continued investment in agricultural infrastructure are essential to ensuring the next generation of Arkansas farmers can remain competitive."

Hillman and Coker also took a moment to recognize Keith Glover’s service to the rice industry as the Chair of USA Rice from 2024-2026.

“At the conclusion of every meeting Keith presided over - and there were a lot of them - he would say, 'is there anything else we need to discuss for the betterment of the U.S. rice industry?’ explained Hillman. “Not only did he mean it, but it served as a great reminder to everyone that while we are competitors in the marketplace, at heart, we are all coming from the same place with the same overarching goal of a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable industry. And we thank Keith for his leadership in that pursuit.”

The meeting underscored the importance of continued collaboration among producers, cooperatives, and policymakers to address trade challenges and strengthen the long-term viability of the U.S. rice industry. Arkansas remains the nation's leading rice-producing state, making federal trade and agricultural policy especially important to rural communities throughout the First Congressional District.