USA Rice Logo
USA Rice Daily
Up-to-the-Minute News on Issues and Activities
Monday, June 15, 2015

Trade Mission Bolsters Export Opportunities                

Preparing for an increased flow of U.S. rice 

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA -- USA Rice participated in USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse's Agricultural Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic and Panama from May 31 to June 5.  Nearly 20 U.S. agribusinesses/organizations and six state agriculture departments participated in order to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products in the region. 

 

"Since the United States implemented trade agreements with the Dominican Republic and Panama, trade has flourished," Scuse said. "U.S. market share in this region averages more than 40 percent, the highest outside of Canada and Mexico."

 

USA Rice met with almost a dozen companies that either currently import U.S. rice or are interested in doing so soon. Both countries have tariff rate quotes (TRQs) which limit the amount of U.S. rice that can enter duty free. Those quotas will increase each year for the next ten years, when they are ultimately eliminated. Last year, both Panama and the Dominican Republic imported U.S. rice above and beyond the TRQ levels, indicating great interest in U.S. rice. 

 

"A strong preference for American goods and a quality image of U.S. rice are prevalent in these two countries, indicating strong potential growth markets particularly once rice is duty free," said Brian King, chairman of USA Rice's Western Hemisphere Promotion Subcommittee. "In the meantime, USA Rice continues trade servicing efforts in Central America to develop and strengthen relationships with rice importers and retailers."

 

Contact:  Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

USA Rice Millers' Association Announces New Chairman, Vice Chairman  

Happy to serve: Alex Balafoutis (l) and Robert Trahan 

WAILEA, HAWAII - Last week, the USA Rice Millers' Association (RMA) announced the election of Robert Trahan of Falcon Rice Mill in Crowley, Louisiana, and Alex Balafoutis, Vice President of Sales for the Rice Business Unit at PGP International in Woodland, California, as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. Each will serve a two-year term that begins August 1, 2015.

 

Chairman-elect Trahan presented outgoing RMA Chairman Chris Crutchfield with a plaque to commemorate his tenure. Trahan thanked Crutchfield for his outstanding service and dedication to the organization. 

 

In accepting the plaque, Crutchfield said, "The RMA is more than a trade association - it is a family. Our connections are strong and deep and long-standing. Outside of being a father and a husband, the ability over the last two years to represent an industry full of people I respect and admire has been the most rewarding and humbling experience of my life."

 

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444 

Crop Progress:   2015 Crop Condition  

WASHINGTON, DC -- Sixty-nine percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is in good or excellent condition, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Preliminary):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 15

Month
Price
Net Change
July 2015
$9.775
+ $0.095
September 2015
$10.035
+ $0.090
November 2015
$10.305
+ $0.095
January 2016
$10.565
+ $0.095
March 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090
May 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090
July 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090

In the News

Around the Country

California Cuts Water to More Farmers as Drought Escalates Bloomberg

Some water rights holders in the drought-ravaged state will need to cease siphoning from two key rivers in the Central Valley.

 

California Rice Plantings Down 32 Percent - 375,000 Acres Western Farm Press

Actual harvested acreage could be vastly different with water curtailments now extending to senior water rights holders. Many have already made planting decisions that could require them to walk away from crops leading to dead plants.

 

Many Farmers, Ranchers Face 'Total Loss' from Flooding Town Talk

It will be weeks, perhaps months, before it's known how much damage the recent flooding has done to Louisiana's agriculture industry. Some to speculate it could be the worst such event in decades for farmers and ranchers along the Red River.

 

USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Safety-Net Programs USDA

Eligible producers may now formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2014 and 2015. The enrollment period begins June 17, 2015, and will end September 30, 2015.

 

 

Tariffs and Trade

Obama Fights to Save Trade Bill Wall Street Journal

A deep Democratic divide over President Barack Obama's ambitions to expand trade in the Pacific clouded prospects this week for reviving key legislation after the House dealt it a stinging setback.

 

 

Science and Technology

Arsenic and Old Rice, Keeping the Pair Apart Delaware Online

A team of University of Delaware researchers published a research paper last week that shows the bacteria they call EA106 is capable of reducing arsenic uptake in two species of rice plants by 80 to 90 percent.

 

Monsanto in the Middle of Upcoming Congressional Fight Over GMO  

St. Louis Post Dispatch

Monsanto Co. and other biotechnology giants are throwing support behind a bill would require the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a safety review of new plant varieties from genetic engineering before they enter the food chain, and allow the FDA to require labeling if it believes it necessary to protect consumer health and safety.

Upcoming Events
Recent Issues
Mission Statement
About Us