Oct 17, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC -- The World Market Price Subcommittee held its autumn meetings today and more than 20 USA Rice members from all segments of the U.S. rice industry met to talk about rice acres, yields, price trends, stocks, and global rice trade issues. The agenda included detailed discussions with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Economic Research Service (ERS), and Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC).
FAS presented an overview of global rice trade, highlighting the increases in world stocks, coupled with increased global trade and consumption. U.S. exports of both rough and milled rice are significantly higher than they were at this time last year.
“The rice industry has currently regained some of the ground it lost in its export markets,” said Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international. “We are looking to continue that growth trend via the successful conclusion of trade negotiations with China.”
On Wednesday, USA Rice members met with Administration officials in the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Secretary of Agriculture’s office. USA Rice thanked APHIS for their rapid response to the recent discovery of khaphra beetle in Uruguayan rice and their continued work to address phytosanitary barriers to trade in Turkey. At both USDA and USTR, discussions centered on Japan, Korea, and the recent announcement of a tentative trade deal with China. In addition, U.S. rice industry concerns were raised about the continued threat of Chinese rice in U.S. and other markets, as well as World Trade Organization (WTO) cases against China and recent action taken against India.
“The last two days were informative and productive, and we appreciate so many members coming to town to address critical issues that impact our industry,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.