International Markets

MID-SOUTH, USA – This week USA Rice welcomed a delegation of nine rice specialists and industry stakeholders from Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic for an immersive, four-day tour showcasing the breadth and innovation of the U.S. rice industry.  The mission, which spanned two rice-producing states, Arkansas and Texas, provided a comprehensive view of U.S. rice from breeding and research through production, storage, and marketing.
 
The delegation, representing Central American countries with strong trade ties to U.S. rice, began the tour in Memphis with a strategic overview from HorizonAg and Nutrien.  Discussions centered on varietal development and the growing role of input solutions in ensuring sustainable and productive rice farming systems.
 
The group traveled east to Osceola Port for an up-close look at barge loading and transit on the Mississippi Rivier.  Hosts from Poinsett Rice & Grain explained the ebb and flow of port operations for rice.  The group then met with rice farmer Becton Bell, who shared historic rice production information starting in the early 1900s to the present from around his home in Wilson, Arkansas, where he serves as mayor.  

At the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center (NERREC) in Harrisburg, Arkansas, Director Dr. Tim Burcham talked about breeding practices tailored to Mid-South conditions and conducted cooking tests of several Arkansas varieties that possess the characteristics most desired by Latin American consumers.  The visit concluded with an open-air truck tour through experimental rice plots and reservoirs.

The delegation also learned about rice in beer products from Anheuser-Busch, water management challenges in the Delta from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the unique rice/ducks partnership from Ducks Unlimited.
 
The group then headed to Stuttgart, Arkansas, where they met with breeders from the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center and the adjacent Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, where USDA scientists such as Dr. Yulin Jia demonstrated state-of-the-art genomic tools and disease resistance strategies.  USA Rice Chair and Producers Rice Mill CEO Keith Glover joined the group for lunch, offering perspectives on leadership in global rice marketing.  The evening wrapped up with a dinner in Little Rock featuring representatives from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Riceland Foods, and Western Foods.
 
Next, the trade mission took to the sky and landed in Houston, Texas, with RiceTec as the first stop where staff and scientists fielded tough questions on U.S. rice quality.  Delegates were briefed on hybrid rice technology and its potential for improving yields and efficiency in both domestic and export markets.  The group conducted cooking tests of two RiceTec varieties during the visit.

The final day began with a tour of the Rice Belt Warehouse operations in El Campo, where identity preserved rice and storage capacity is the highest in Texas.  At Tim Gertson’s G5 Farms, the delegation saw firsthand seeding, drying, storage, and the flying service on his ever-expanding rice operation in Wharton County.  The tour culminated at the Scout Shop where breeders from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Eagle Lake discussed regional breeding efforts to provide the Latin American market with favorable characteristics.  Cooking tests ensued with four Texas varieties.
 
“This mission was designed to build trust and transparency around the U.S. rice industry,” said USA Rice COO Sarah Moran who led the tour along with Josh Hankins, USA Rice director of grower relations.  “We’re proud to showcase our commitment to quality, innovation, and partnership with our Latin American customers.”
 
The visit not only reinforced the value of U.S.-origin rice in international markets but also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in research, varietal development, and sustainable production practices.