LIMA, PERU – USA Rice participated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Trade Mission (ATM) to Peru last week, as part of ongoing efforts to expand market access and boost exports of U.S.-grown rice in the region. Representing USA Rice was Senior Director of International Promotion for the Western Hemisphere Asiha Grigsby, who was joined by USA Rice Western Hemisphere Promotion Chair Vicki Manzoli of TRC, one of more than 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups in the official delegation.
During the opening plenary session, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley welcomed the delegation including a special shoutout to USA Rice and a few other companies acknowledging the importance of cooperator participation in trade missions such as this. Whitley emphasized the significance of the mission, stating, “I am honored to lead this delegation to Lima as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports, and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to offer.”
Peru is currently the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America and the second-largest supplier of agricultural products to the country. However, a $3.66 billion agricultural trade deficit with Peru underscores the need for strategic export promotion, particularly for products like U.S. rice. In 2024 only 151 MT of U.S. rice was imported.
The mission agenda featured a packed schedule that included retail store visits, a tour of the Port of Callao which handles nearly 80 percent of the country’s import/ export business, and Emergent Cold LaTam, a state-of-the-art cold storage facility – all underscoring the strong logistics and cold chain capabilities that make Peru a key regional hub.
Throughout the week, Grigsby met with Peruvian rice distributors, importers, and trade members to explore opportunities to grow U.S. rice exports. These meetings laid important groundwork for future business development and collaboration in the market.
“Peru presents a promising opportunity for U.S. rice, given its regional connectivity and expanding consumer market,” said Grigsby. “This mission allowed us to build valuable relationships and share the quality and versatility of U.S.-grown rice with key Peruvian partners.”
Peru continues to offer opportunity for a wide range of U.S. agricultural products, including beef, pork, poultry, dairy, and tree nuts. USA Rice looks forward to adding U.S.-origin rice to the portfolio and participation in the trade mission helps ensure rice remains part of that conversation.