Apr 23, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week, USA Rice participated in a “Meet the Cooperators” seminar series led by the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) to provide training to approximately 30 new foreign service personnel and other staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These annual seminars provide opportunities for local trade associations to educate USDA staff about our organizations and how we work together to increase exports of rice.
In addition to explaining the structure of USA Rice and who we represent, Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international who attended the training, stressed the value of the partnership we have with USDA and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
“Four of our top six export markets were opened through trade agreements,” said Moran. “Rice is consumed in nearly every culture yet only about 10 percent of the world’s rice is traded. Since it’s so thinly traded, it is a heavily protected commodity hence the necessity of trade agreements and then promotion to gain access.”
Moran discussed the U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion agreement in detail, including the tariff rate quotas (TRQ) which have created a top market for U.S. rice. Additionally, the establishment of an export trading company to manage the TRQs has led to over $60 million in research funds going to the six U.S. rice research institutions since 2012.
Attendees were engaged, asking questions about USA Rice activities in food aid, trade with Iraq, Farm Bill discussions, and gluten free trends.