USA Rice Co-Hosts Ag Cooperators Conference in Mexico

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO -- Earlier this week, USA Rice teamed up with the U.S Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. Wheat Associates to host the Americas Agricultural Cooperators Conference here where more than 100 importers and users of soy, rice, and wheat learned about the U.S. crops.  An additional 60 attendees viewed the conference remotely.  

USA Rice staff gave a presentation on the outlook for U.S. rice, discussing the importance of agricultural trade between Mexico and the U.S., and the strong market for U.S. rice exports to Mexico that are trending 9 percent higher than this time last year.  USA Rice’s Steve Linscombe participated in a sustainability panel with a soy and corn farmer, sharing practices that have saved water, reduced runoff, and improved crop productivity.  USA Rice’s Asiha Grigsby discussed the organization’s promotional activities being conducted in Mexico and held initial discussions with USSEC staff regarding joint activities in the future.

Mexican rice industry representatives from the Mexican Rice Council, Mexicana de Arroz, and Surtidora del Bajío participated in the conference and expressed appreciation for the networking opportunity to meet with grain marketing advisors, shipping and freight logistics analysts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials.
 
“It was very interesting to hear presentations about the U.S. export logistics advantage and analysis about the worldwide container shortages,” said Ricardo Mendoza, executive director of the Mexican Rice Council.  “This was the first face-to-face conference we’ve attended in one and a half years and, I must say, it didn’t disappoint.”