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ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Producers' Group, the largest sector of USA Rice with representation by farmers from each of the six rice-growing states, has voted to change the group's name to "USA Rice Farmers" effective August 1, 2015.

Members of the almost 60-member Board of Directors discussed the change at their recent annual business meeting in Dallas, Texas and concluded that on Capitol Hill and amongst the non-agricultural sector, 'farmers' was more universally recognized than the term 'producers.' 

Missouri rice farmer and incoming chairman of USA Rice Farmers, Blake Gerard, said, "This change is appropriate because it will help identify exactly who we are and what we do and help us clearly and effectively tell our story."

USA Rice's Vice President of Marketing and Communications Michael Klein, added that the Producers' Group name change coincides with the umbrella organization, USA Rice Federation, dropping the word "Federation" from their logo and common usage.

"It's all about communicating clearly and as succinctly as possible with our audiences," Klein said.  "The words 'Federation' and 'producers' did neither and so we're retiring them."

Contact:  Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475

Data Source: FAS Global Agricultural   Trade System; United Nations

ARLINGTON, VA -- Over the past several years, Asian exporters have looked to diversify their export markets and with relatively low prices, have grown their market share in many areas in Africa, the Western Hemisphere and in developing countries.  India has had phenomenal growth in their exports, particularly to developing countries which now account for nearly 80 percent of their exports.  In particular, least developed countries (LDCs) have become increasingly important markets for Indian exporters and the Indian agricultural trade surplus with these markets has soared.  India is now the world's seventh-largest agricultural exporter, up from 13^th a decade ago.  In 2013, India became the top agricultural supplier to LDCs, with overall sales of $5.2 billion.  This is nearly $1 billion more than the European Union, which is the second largest supplier.

Rice is one of India's largest agricultural exports.  Indian rice exports grew from $2.4 billion in 2009 to more than $8 billion in 2013 and shipments have been particularly strong to LDCs.  In 2009, rice exports to LDCs accounted for only 3 percent of India's total rice exports; by 2013, it accounted for 22 percent!  Ironically, this increase in Indian exports has come at the same time many of these countries are seeking to attain rice self-sufficiency.

Rapidly increasing government support for both production and exports has contributed to India's surge in exports.  India's public stockholding program has been especially instrumental in increasing rice exports to LDCs.   As noted in the recent Section 332 study on Rice: the Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry, the Indian government purchases rice at minimum support prices that are announced well before the planting seasons.  There are also several types of subsidies for inputs, including fertilizer, irrigation, electricity, seeds, and machinery.

"Ensuring that there is a level playing field is becoming more important as many of our competitors are ramping up production and increasing their market share in our export markets," says Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president for international promotion.  "That is why research which monitors our competitors, such as this Section 332 study, and a constant reevaluation of potentially new or growing markets is an important part of what we do."

Contact:  Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457