USA Rice Federation

According to a report from Digital Commerce 360, 2024 online grocery sales brought in $36.8 billion to the top 100 retailers, up more than 14 percent from 2023.?The latest episode of The Rice Stuff podcast features Eric M. talking with us about the future of retail and the evolution of e-commerce from smart shopping carts to drone delivery and more. https://lnkd.in/eDQrtbar

USA Rice Praises House Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith’s Leadership to Update USITC Study on Global Rice Trade Impacts WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following the request from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has?released its study?of factors and policies affecting the global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry. The study, “Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry,” is a Section 332 fact-finding investigation and examined the rice industry in the U.S. and in major producing and exporting countries, such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and others, and found that the world rice market is a protectionist and often unfair place.? ? “For too long, our trading partners have put U.S. rice producers at an unfair disadvantage through market distorting subsidies, while simultaneously imposing both tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. agricultural products,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. “The details of the USITC report are deeply concerning for the U.S. rice industry, which employs tens of thousands of Americans and generates billions in economic output each year. This analysis confirms that unfair subsidies and artificial trade barriers in foreign countries erode U.S. export opportunities and farm income.” ? This year-long study is the collaboration between USA Rice and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and is an update from a 2015 version. ? “We are grateful to the staff at the USITC for the timely and expeditious work and to the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means Chairman, Jason Smith (R-MO), for supporting our request to update the existing 2015 study. The report continues to point out that U.S. farmers are fighting an uphill battle,” said Peter Bachmann, CEO of USA Rice. “We have long called for meaningful action to hold these bad actors, such as India, to account. We are hopeful that this clear evidence outlined throughout the study can be used to help inform the Administration’s actions around setting reciprocal tariffs that protect our domestic industry, inform future trade enforcement actions around rice at the WTO, and through other mechanisms to ensure an even playing field.” The full report is here: https://lnkd.in/eA6HsqCB

??Attention school foodservice pros & chefs! ?? The time to flex your cooking expertise is here, just in time for National School Breakfast Week! The Rice & Shine Recipe Contest presented by USA Rice is here to celebrate the power of starting your day right with rice. Submit your most creative, energizing, wholesome breakfast recipes using U.S.-grown rice before March 31st for a chance to win! Check here for more information:?https://lnkd.in/e6APSeZS We can’t wait to see what’s on the menu ??? #RiceandShine?#recipecontest?#schoolbreakfast?#thinkrice?#usarice

If you're not sure what artificial intelligence has to do with agriculture and food, you aren't alone. Consider checking out the most recent episode of The Rice Stuff podcast where we were joined by Andreas Duess who explained a few "Hmm" moments for the sector. https://lnkd.in/evhcmRrD

USA Rice Applauds Confirmation of USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer WASHINGTON DC – Earlier today, the U.S. Senate approved Jamieson Greer with a 56-43 vote to lead the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). ? Greer, who is no stranger to rice country (see?USA Rice Daily, February 7, 2025), previously served as chief of staff under U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, and most recently was a partner on the international trade team at King & Spalding, an American multinational law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. ? As USTR, Greer will be responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s America First Trade Policy agenda, including addressing unfair and non-reciprocal foreign trade practices as well as leading the 2026 United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) review.?The USTR is responsible for leading market access and trade negotiations as well as trade enforcement. ? The America First Trade Policy agenda is expected to include protection and rebuilding of the U.S. manufacturing sector.? ? “As essential U.S. food manufacturers, we’re optimistic that these policies will extend to the U.S. rice industry and allow for recapturing of American market share following a decade of import growth by foreign rice,” said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann.?“We congratulate Ambassador Greer on his swift approval through the U.S. Senate and look forward to working closely with him to address the many unfair trade practices plaguing the U.S. rice industry while opening new market opportunities so our industry can prosper for years to come.” ?

The luncheon keynote address at the 40th Rice Technical Working Group meeting was given by Bobby Hanks, CEO of Supreme Rice, the largest miller of rice in the state. He talked about what he's doing to help the industry, but noted we need researchers and a government committed to the industry as well. “Twenty years ago, long grain rice imports were less than 9 percent of U.S. consumption. Next year it could be more than 31 percent. We need aromatic varieties that work for farmers and a government trade policy that protects U.S. farmers from the undisputed cheating of countries like India.” ? Bobby Hanks CEO Supreme Rice

Louisiana rice farmer Jackie Loewer reflected on the sweeping changes he's seen in his decades in the rice industry. He spent much of it on the Louisiana Rice Research Board and has a profound respect for the work of the crowd at the 40th Rice Technical Working Group, happening now in New Orleans. “We farmers fund some of your research, but we are end users of all of it. We couldn’t do what we do if you didn’t do what you do.” Jackie?Loewer Louisiana rice farmer

We're attending the 40th Rice Technical Working Group meeting in New Orleans where the passion for science, rice, and leadership is off the charts. Inspiring speakers sharing valuable lessons with young scientists. “In Asia there’s a saying, ‘rice is life.’ Rice feeds 50% of people around the world and 75% of the world’s poor. The fate of the world depends on rice.” Dr. Robert Zeigler Global Rice Research Foundation

We are thrilled with the timely confirmation?of Brooke Rollins as our 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by the U.S. Senate. It is vital that we have her?leadership at the Department as soon as possible and we are grateful?to?Chairman Boozman (R-AR) for expediting her confirmation, beating confirmation dates for Secretaries Perdue in 2017 (April 24) and Vilsack in 2021 (February 23). The unanimous affirmative vote for Rollins by the?Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee?is a clear sign of the bipartisan confidence our Congressional leadership has in her. As we said in our November statement when she was nominated, "USA Rice is looking forward to working with Rollins to strengthen U.S. agriculture and ensure a prosperous future for rice farmers, millers, and merchants.”