|
In This Issue:
- Market Update: U.S. Export Market Full of Challenges
- Op-Ed: Keep Rice Country Strong
- Washington, D.C. Update
- International News: Celebrating the 30th Annual Rice Festival in Honduras
- Announcing the Fifth Annual Ray Stoesser Memorial Scholarship
- Support Texas Rice Farmers: Sponsor the Texas Rice Roundup Today!
-
RMTC: Sponsors, Make Your Mark at #RMTC2026
- Video from Rice Country
| | U.S. Export Market Full of Challenges | | |
Harvest continues to move on without much of a problem, with Arkansas now on the downhill side, approaching 80% complete. Louisiana is over 95%, as is Texas. Mississippi is at 73%, and Missouri is at 60%. California, as always, is the last to harvest but is in full swing, now approaching 30%. Milling yields from Louisiana to Arkansas are being reported as average, i.e.: 55/70. There was some hope early that we would see a significant increase, but as more of the crop is moving, it seems to be averaging out overall. The real trick will be selling all of it into a market that is flooded with cheap rice from Asia/India, and increased competition from South America.
A recent GAIN report on Mexico shows increasing demand for rice in the country, which will likely result in both increased production (4%) and imports (2%). The production increase equates to 637,000 planted acres, but still remains 7% below the 10-year average. When evaluating the increased imports, the expectation is that it will largely come in the form of paddy, and we all can hope that U.S. long grain gets the lion's share with increased milling yields. Mexico’s local production accounts for only 20% of their demand, so they are heavily reliant on stable trade partners.
As for the actual numbers of U.S. imports in the last year, the numbers aren’t positive. From October 2024-July 2025, imports reached 759,038 MT, with paddy accounting for 75% and milled rice for 25%. During this time period, U.S. market share declined from 80% to 57%, primarily in paddy rice. In direct contrast, Uruguay expanded its share from 5% to 20%, and Brazil increased from 0.1% to 11%. The good news is that Thai milled rice dropped from 13% to 6%. Drilling further into the paddy market over the last year, the U.S. now accounts for 65%, Uruguay 18%, Brazil 11%, and Paraguay at 6%. Post states that as of June 2025, paddy prices have dropped 19% down to $367/mt. There will be stiff competition for this important market in the coming 12 months now that our new crop is available.
In Asia, prices are still hovering where they have for weeks. Thailand is quoted at $365 pmt, whereas Vietnam is still at $385 pmt, and India at $380 pmt. India, the key bear driver to the global rice market, still has an astounding supply. To put some numbers to the often ethereal volume, the country is still holding between 55-60 million metric tons in stocks. To put that in perspective, the United States produces between 7-8 million metric tons each year, meaning what they are holding in stocks is over eight times our annual production. It’s an ominous weight hanging over the market indeed.
The weekly USDA Export Sales report shows net sales of 8,300 MT this week, unchanged from last week, but down 78% from the prior 4-week average. Exports of 40,500 MT were down 32% percent from the previous week, but only 1% from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to Haiti (14,200 MT), Saudi Arabia (9,400 MT), El Salvador (5,600 MT), Mexico (4,800 MT), and Canada (3,300 MT).
| | Op-Ed: Keep Rice Country Strong | |
U.S. rice producers are at a breaking point. Rising costs, stagnant prices, and unfair global competition are squeezing one of America’s most reliable agricultural sectors. Without immediate support at home and better access to export markets abroad, we risk losing not just a crop, but a whole generation of rice producers.
Rice may not dominate headlines like corn or soybeans, but it is indispensable. Grown primarily in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, rice sustains tens of thousands of jobs across farms, mills, transport, and exports across the country. It is also one of the costliest crops to produce. Fuel, fertilizer, water management, and labor expenses have all surged in recent years. Farmers are being asked to do more with less, and many are running out of options.
Global competition makes the challenge worse. Countries such as India, Vietnam, and Thailand dominate rice exports by relying on lower labor costs, weaker environmental standards, and heavy government subsidies. U.S. rice, grown under some of the strictest food safety and environmental rules in the world, is high-quality but also higher-cost. The result: U.S. farmers struggle to compete, even as demand for rice is rising in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Two policy steps could make a lasting difference. First, Congress should strengthen economic support for rice producers. US Rice Producers Association commended Congress for its passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this summer, which includes multiple investments that should provide optimism to the U.S. rice producer, including direct economic increased reference prices, crop insurance adjustments, and a significant investment in trade promotion funding. As we wait for many of those mechanisms to go into effect, though, the entire U.S. farm economy is at a pivotal, make-or-break moment. Economic assistance before the end of the year is crucial to enable many producers to “bridge the gap” and make it to the next planting season.
In the long term, U.S. rice trade policy must prioritize opening markets and maintaining existing markets. Rice is one of the most protected commodities in the world. Roughly half of U.S. rice is exported, making international markets essential to the industry’s survival. Trade agreements should secure fair access for U.S. rice, and export promotion programs should be prioritized to connect producers with new buyers in diverse markets.
This is not a partisan issue. Policymakers on both sides of the aisle have long recognized the value of American agriculture. Supporting rice farmers means protecting jobs, sustaining rural communities, and keeping the United States a trusted supplier in global food chains. In a world where food security increasingly shapes geopolitics, maintaining a strong U.S. rice industry is about more than economics—it is about national security.
The time is right to extend that commitment to rice farmers through both short-term economic support and stronger export markets long-term. By doing so, we safeguard an industry that feeds communities at home and strengthens America’s standing abroad.
Mollie Buckler
President & CEO
US Rice Producers Association
| | |
USDA announces three-point plan to support U.S. producers and exporters: On Tuesday, September 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA) Luke Lindberg unveiled a three-point plan that aims to support American agricultural producers and exporters.
The first point consists of launching the America First Trade Promotion Program. This program uses the $285 million per year that was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for trade promotion starting in fiscal year (FY) 2027 and USDA plan to launch the program one year early with $285 million starting in FY26.
The second point leans into the newly coined Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Missions. USDA plans to launch a new model for trade missions in addition to the current model that targets reciprocal trade deal countries and new market access opportunities. The focus of these TRUMP missions will be used to determine country-by-country to maximize high-return, low-risk agricultural export prospects and connect buyers and sellers.
The third and final point aims to revitalize export finance opportunities, specifically leaning into the GSM-10 credit guarantee program which provides credit guarantees to encourage the financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products. This program was authorized to offset $5.5 billion in market risk for buyers of American commodities and only $2 billion in liabilities has been recorded for the program up to date. USDA looks to reinvigorate the program to make certain is best aligned to facilitate American exports to new markets. USDA hopes that by reducing financial risk to lenders, credit guarantees encourage exporters to purchasers in counties that have ample financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments.
USRPA commends our partners at USDA for investing in trade and looks forward to utilizing these programs to strengthen U.S. rice exports.
Secretary Rollins addresses state of the farm economy: On Thursday, September 25, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke to the state of the farm economy at the annual Agriculture Outlook Forum in Kansas City, MO. Throughout her presentation, she touted President Trump’s commitment and support for the agricultural industry while acknowledging current struggles American producers face such as the high cost of labor and other increased farm production input costs. She announced that the $2 billion in remaining funding for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) will be released within the week, in addition to the already $8 billion in assistance that was expedited earlier this year, rounding out the original $10 billion appropriation in last December’s continuing resolution (CR).
Rollins also spoke to the Department’s plans to bolster trade through expanding markets and the launch of the America First Trade Promotion Program which utilizes trade promotion funds authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Further, she announced that USDA is investing $480 million to procure commodities from American farmers for international food assistance programs, including McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition and Food for Progress. You can find more information and commentary from the Secretary in USDA’s press release here.
| | Celebrating the 30th Annual Rice Festival in Honduras | |
The Hawit family is thrilled to celebrate the 30th Rice Festival in Honduras! For three decades, this joyful tradition has united families, farmers, and friends to honor the country’s beloved grain with music, dancing, delicious food, and vibrant community spirit. What started as a celebration of rice has grown into a cultural landmark, filling hearts with pride and joy year after year.
USRPA is especially proud to join in this milestone, as we have shared a longtime relationship with the Hawit family and the Honduran rice sector. Our participation was represented by Mark Pousson, Vice Chairman of the USRPA Board of Directors and General Manager of South Louisiana Rail Facility, who was recognized as a guest of honor for the City of Progreso during the festivities. Reflecting on the occasion, Mark shared: “It was a privilege to represent USRPA and celebrate with the Hawit family. This festival truly showcases the importance of rice to Honduras and the deep ties that unite our rice industries.”
| | Fifth Annual Ray Stoesser Memorial Scholarship: Application is Now Available | | Support Texas Rice Farmers:
Sponsor the Texas Rice Roundup Today! | |
Max and Luke Clark, sons of USRPA Board Member Alex Clark, created this video on rice harvest in Missouri!
Send us your field photos or videos on Facebook, Instagram, or via email!
| | | |  |
Food & Agriculture
Regulatory & Policy Roundup
| | |
October 1 - 4, 2025
Texas Rice Festival - Main Festival
Winnie, TX
More Information
|
October 11 - 12, 2025
Katy Rice Harvest Festival
Katy, TX
More Information
| |
January 21, 2026
Western Rice Belt Conference
More details to come
| |
January 31, 2026
Texas Rice Roudup
Richmond, TX
Sponsor Sign Up
| |
February 5 - 6, 2026
29th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference
Jonesboro, AR
More Information
| | |
USRPA does not discriminate in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital/family status. Persons who require alternative means for communication of information (such as Braille, large print, sign language interpreter or translation) should contact USRPA at 713-974-7423. |
| | | |
