SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – A group of U.S. rice exporters traveled here this week and met with Korean importers regarding U.S. rice supply, quality, and the outlook for 2026 U.S. rice export sales to Korea. Participants also discussed the current supply and demand trends of rice production and consumption in Korea as well as mutual challenges to the competitiveness of U.S. rice sales in the Korean market.
The annual purchase commitment of 132,304 metric tons of U.S. rice falls under Korea’s World Trade Organization’s country-specific quota (CSQ) and was signed in 2020. Korea continues to work with the United States to uphold its annual purchase commitments. Following a long delay, U.S. table rice auctions resumed earlier this year, once again allowing U.S. table rice to enter the market through weekly auctions.
“We welcome the opportunity to travel to and visit with our important trading partners here in Seoul,” said Michael Rue, California rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Asia Trade Policy Subcommittee who led the U.S. delegation here. “We continue to prioritize meeting the demand for high-quality U.S. rice to the market. We look forward to meeting next year and effectively addressing market needs."
Korea is a top export market for U.S. rice by both volume and value and has long been the second largest market for U.S. medium grain exports.