China Opens Rice Market to U.S.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reached an agreement with Chinese officials on details of a protocol to allow the United States to export rice to China for the first time ever.

“This is another great day for U.S. agriculture and, in particular, for our rice growers and millers, who can now look forward to gaining access to the Chinese market,” Perdue said. “This market represents an exceptional opportunity today, with enormous potential for growth in the future.”

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of rice. Since 2013, it has also been the largest importer, with imports reaching nearly 5 million tons last year. Exports will begin after China conducts an audit of U.S. rice facilities.

The agreement has been in the works for more than a decade.

Source: USDA