MORRILTON, AR — Leaders across agriculture, policy, and trade gathered last week at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute for its Distinguished Lecture Series, where global agricultural trade and its direct impact on U.S. rice took center stage.
The
event featured a panel discussion moderated by George Dunklin Jr., founder and president of the Five Oaks Agriculture Research and Education Center; with Darci Vetter, a former U.S. agricultural trade negotiator now advising on global policy; and Andrew Muhammad, a University of Tennessee economist focused on international trade and commodity markets. The discussion was followed by a keynote from Stephen Vaden, who, as USDA deputy secretary, helps lead the Department’s operations and trade policy efforts.
Vaden underscored the importance of U.S. rice in global markets, noting both its export dependence and the increasing challenges producers face abroad. At the same time, he pointed to early signs of progress on the domestic front, highlighting a shift in import trends. “But I am happy to say that the tide is beginning to turn thanks to the change in trade policies. We expect for the current marketing year … for the first time in five years, there will be a net decline in imports into the United States of foreign rice.”
He cautioned, however, that this development is only a starting point, emphasizing the need for continued enforcement of trade rules and action against unfair practices such as subsidization and dumping by foreign competitors.
A key theme throughout Vaden’s remarks was the role of coordinated engagement between government and commodity groups in expanding market access. He specifically highlighted the importance of industry participation in trade missions and global outreach efforts, saying, “We bring our commodity associations like USA Rice … they’re literally on the plane with us as we go overseas … in order to introduce these foreign markets to what we have to offer, and in order to see to it that we can help build those relationships which will lead to long-lasting gains.”
Producers Rice Mill CEO and current USA Rice Chair Keith Glover was one of many rice industry attendees at the event and called it “one of the best trade talks I have ever heard.”
The event also reinforced Arkansas’ central role in U.S. rice production and the broader agricultural economy, with speakers pointing to the state’s long-standing leadership in rice and its reliance on strong, fair international markets.
As global competition intensifies—particularly from countries like India and Brazil—Vaden emphasized that future success for U.S. rice will depend on both expanding export opportunities and ensuring a level playing field through trade enforcement.
The discussion at the Rockefeller Institute made clear that while challenges remain, renewed focus on trade policy, market development, and industry collaboration is beginning to shape a more favorable outlook for U.S. rice producers.