All eyes on the Iraqi Trade Minister

ARLINGTON, VA -- American rice farmers, sitting on a large, high quality, and price competitive crop, are turning their attention to Iraq's Ministry of Trade who's latest tender for rice closes on Sunday.

"Despite very competitive bids, the U.S. was shut out of the previous tender, which raises the question of where these decisions are being made, at the Iraqi Grain Board, or some higher political level within the Ministry itself," said Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation.

Ward said following the Iraqi Grain Board (IGB) visit to U.S. rice country this spring, it appeared all technical questions had been answered and that the way had been paved for additional U.S. rice sales.

However, USA Rice has just learned that the head of the IGB, Hassan Ibrahim, who toured Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana in May, and was so upbeat about U.S. rice, has been sacked and replaced by his deputy.

Earlier today, Ward led a small group to meet with USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse and his staff to discuss the situation and impress upon them the need for immediate intervention with the Trade Minister in advance of this weekend's tender.

"Secretary Scuse indicated they would re-engage with U.S. State Department personnel in Baghdad on this issue now, and over the long term," Ward reported.

Ward says USA Rice is also working with leaders in Congress to ensure they are aware of the situation and letting them know what pressure they can bring to bear on the government of Iraq.

"Given that U.S. taxpayers have a significant investment in Iraq, I would hope the government there, from the Prime Minister on down, understands how important it is for American rice farmers to be fairly considered to win this business," she said.

Officially the current tender is for 30,000 metric tons of rice, but as Iraq is behind on rice purchases this year, insiders expect the actual tender to exceed 100,000 metric tons. Winning bids for this tender are expected to be announced next week.

Contact:  Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

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