Dec 02, 2014
TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- The American Institute of Taiwan's Agricultural Affairs Office reported that Taiwan authorities have lifted the longstanding ban on U.S. long grain rice. Taiwan imposed an import ban on U.S. long grain rice immediately after the LibertyLink® incident in August 2006. Since then, the issue has been raised in several bilateral engagements by the U.S. side, both technically and under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement annual meetings.
Taiwan's Agriculture and Food Agency has also scheduled two tenders of U.S.-origin long grain brown rice for December 10, with delivery in the May-June 2015 time frame. This will be the first U.S. long grain rice tender since Taiwan joined the WTO in January 2002 and opened its market for rice imports.
One tender (1,500 MT) has a specification for minimum amylose content. It is presumed this will be destined for making popular local products such as rice noodles and rice cakes. The long grain rice without minimum amylose content specifications will likely be used as table rice.
"Reportedly, consumer appetites in Taiwan are changing," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice Federation vice president of international promotion. "They seem to be more accepting of long grain products in addition to the medium and short grain that is traditionally consumed there. Taiwan also recently purchased southern medium grain rice for the first time in several years."
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444