One of the major issues confronting farmers this year is a lack of a level playing field in foreign markets. Riceland Foods recently sent a delegation to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Warren Stephens of Arkansas.
CEO Kevin McGilton, COO Ben Noble, and Director of Export Sales Logan Ward underscored the importance of duty-free, quota-free market access for U.S. rice farmers in the UK and across Europe.
Competitor countries benefit from heavy subsidies or less stringent standards, they contend.
In July, the United Kingdom signed a trade agreement with India allowing for duty-free brown rice imports. Increased and fair market access to the UK market would support the sustainability for U.S. farmers through yet another stable and reliable market to export rice.
“Our rice farmers are doing everything right,” said McGilton. “They are continuously working to improve the quality of the rice produced while doing it sustainably. Our rice also has an important role to play in meeting consumer demands around the world for a nutritious and healthy staple food product.”
The Riceland delegation raised concerns about tariff and non-tariff barriers that negatively impact American rice sales abroad. U.S. rice growers depend on stable and reliable export markets to sustain operations, invest in communities, and continue producing rice.
“Trade-related policies around the world are far from fair or free in the rice industry. We see India destroying the global rice market with its over-subsidized rice being dumped on the world market. With so much global supply, we’re working with USA Rice to find reliable markets for our high quality and sustainable U.S. rice, and the UK is a perfect fit as consumers are increasingly interested in sustainably produced food options,” said Noble.