Consistency is the Goal at Annual Rice Quality Symposium

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The 5th U.S. Rice Quality Symposium was held here last week with more than 20 varieties, many exhibiting the preferred cooking characteristics for the Latin American market, shared with attendees including more than 30 importers.  Six breeders from the public universities and the private sector showcased their rice that was cooked under the guidance of Rice Specialist Roger Umaña following specifications from Conarroz (National Rice Corporation) of Costa Rica.
 
“Central Americans cook and analyze rice differently than the U.S. so it was important that we present our varieties in a meaningful way to this audience,” said Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice senior director of international promotion for the Western Hemisphere.
 
Additionally, fact sheets were distributed with length, chalk, milling yield, and amylose data all evaluated by one mill to ensure consistency.  A group of importers from Central America reviewed each of the varieties for suitability and will send a follow-up analysis to USA Rice.
 
“Following this event, USA Rice held a technical meeting with FECARROZ (Central American Rice Federation) to talk about the threat of Asian milled rice coming into the region,” said Grigsby.  “Additionally, we were able to welcome the new president of FECARROZ, Juan Carlos Amador Mansell from Nicaragua, and show our appreciation to Kamal Elias Dieck of Honduras who has done an amazing job leading the organization this past year.  We look forward to continued collaborations with FECARROZ in the year to come.”
 
Separate to this event, USA Rice also organized a dozen business-to-business (B2B) meetings with U.S. rice exporters and importers from Latin America.