USA Rice Daily
Up-to-the-Minute News on Issues and Activities
Friday, September 18, 2015
U.S. Announces New Steps Towards Normalizing Relations with Cuba 
Loosening things up a little  
Loosening things up a little 
WASHINGTON, DC-- Today the Obama Administration announced a set of new rules that will further normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. These regulatory changes include easing restrictions on authorized travel, and allowing U.S. companies to establish offices in Cuba.

The announcement builds upon moves made by the Departments of Treasury and Commerce earlier this year to loosen U.S. restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba. 
 
The embargo remains in effect, however, and must be lifted by an act of Congress. USA Rice is actively involved in efforts to promote normalized commercial relations with Cuba through membership and leadership in the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC). These most recent announcements do not appear to directly impact U.S. agricultural trade with Cuba.

Contact: Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464

Rice Traders on Japan's Kyushu Island Get a Taste of U.S. Rice   
Rice, nut, and fruit salad  
U.S. rice: the talk of the table 
FUKUOKA, JAPAN -- U.S.-grown medium grain rice made its debut at a trade exhibition here last week and was a big hit with attendees when served in two menu items, "Rice, Nut & Fruit Salad" and "Gumbo Soup with Turmeric Rice."
 
The trade show, sponsored by Nishihara Shokai, a national food wholesaler headquartered here, featured 220 booths and attracted more than 3,000 people, mainly food service-related traders located throughout Kyushu Island.
 
"There was some initial concern that the U.S-grown rice dishes offered up would be 'too creative' for the Japanese market," said USA Rice Vice President International Promotion Jim Guinn. "But based on the volume of trade inquiries from hotels and restaurants, I'd say consumers here are more than ready for this product. And with a population of more than five million, Fukuoka is an important market for U.S. medium grain, not only because it is a hub of Kyushu Island, but also because national foodservice chains are strengthening their sales nationwide."
 
Kyushu is the southernmost and third largest of Japan's main islands and is home to Mount Aso, Japan's most active volcano that rumbled to life earlier this week.
 
Contact: Bill Farmer (832) 302-6710  
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 18

Month
Price
Net Change
November 2015$12.950
+ $0.055
January 2016
$13.230
+ $0.055
March 2016
$13.440
+ $0.055
May 2016$13.615
+ $0.055
July 2016$13.740
+ $0.030
September 2016$12.945
+ $0.015
November 2016
$12.945
+ $0.015
In the News 
Around Washington
Conservation organizations and some farm groups are urging congressional budget writers to restore cuts they put in their fiscal 2016 spending bills and to reject a delay in new conservation compliance requirements for crop insurance. 
 
Senate Republican critics of the Obama administration's Clean Water Act rule initiated another long-shot attempt to strike it down, this time through a disapproval resolution that would have to be enacted over a presidential veto. 
 
Around the Country
The drought is forcing California wildlife managers, researchers and conservationists to shift species protection strategies.
 
The 2014 Organic Survey, released by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), shows that 14,093 certified and exempt organic farms in the United States sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008.
 
Health and Nutrition
Congress is deciding whether it wants another pitched battle with first lady Michelle Obama and the administration over school lunches that put more whole grains in kids' meals and cut salty foods.
 
Science and Technology
As growers prepare to store their self-propelled sprayers for the winter they'll need to do more than simply drive it into the barn, turn it off and close the door, said Mike Flatt, director of Business Process Improvement for Equipment Technologies, manufacturer of Apache-brand self-propelled sprayers.
 
Tariffs and Trade
From the edge of his rice fields in southeastern Arkansas, Joe Mencer can climb a levee and lay eyes on a small Mississippi River port that loads up grain for a trip to New Orleans. From there, it could be on its way toward Cuba.
 
Reports that a China/U.S. rice trade pact had been struck were premature. Hopes that a deal would be signed next week were put to bed during a Wednesday (September 16) conference call between USDA's APHIS and major U.S. rice players.
 
The Obama administration on Friday will announce an array of regulatory changes to loosen travel, commerce and investment restrictions on Cuba, according to people familiar with the plans, the latest move forward in the thaw in relations with Havana.

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