Impressive line up
Sep 03, 2021
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA -- Last week, members of the Central American Rice Federation (FECARROZ), gathered here for their annual Board of Directors meeting, during which the new members of the executive board were elected and sworn-in. USA Rice participated virtually as an invited guest for the ceremony and meeting that followed.
FECARROZ executive board members for the 2021-2021 term include: President Eduardo Rojas, Costa Rica; Vice President Jose Tudo, El Salvador; Secretary Sergio Garcia, Guatemala; Treasurer Jason Hawit, Honduras; and, At Large Ulises Espinoza, Nicaragua.
“We congratulate President Eduardo Rojas and the newly elected members of the FECARROZ executive board as they assume their new leadership roles,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “Central America is our third largest export destination and a vital trading partner for the U.S. rice industry. We look forward to working together to strengthen our professional relationship through collaboration and mutual support for many years to come.”
USA Rice conducts promotional activities in the Central American countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua to bring awareness to U.S.-origin rice and increase overall consumption among consumers, food service professionals, and allied businesses involved in importing, milling, and distributing rice. The Piensa en Arroz (Think Rice) digital and influencer campaign in the region encompasses a multi-faceted approach to position U.S. rice on grocery store shelves as well as on social media platforms to keep consumers engaged online.
USA Rice also partners with rice industry leaders in Central America on research projects, trade missions, and webinars to maintain positive relationships and grow the rice industry as a whole.
In January – July of this year, more than 300,000 MT of U.S.-origin rice has been exported to Central America, a 15 percent increase from the same time period last year, with a value of nearly $105 million.