Nineteenth Annual U.S.-Japan Rice Technical Meeting Held
Technically Speaking
SACRAMENTO, CA.
Representatives of the U.S. and Japanese rice industries met here Wednesday and Thursday for the 19th annual U.S.-Japan rice technical meeting.
“These annual meetings are an important part of strengthening the rice trade between our two countries by providing an opportunity to discuss and resolve technical issues,” said Alex Balafoutis of PGP International, Inc. and the U.S. chairman of the Japan Technical Group.
The two sides reviewed rice production, trade, and utilization in both countries; key upcoming supply and demand developments in both markets, and discussed quality characteristics of U.S. rice exported to Japan.
Following a day-long session on Wednesday, the Japanese delegation toured a rice farm on Thursday with U.S. delegation member and farmer Michael Rue, who provided information on rice production, drying, and storage, followed by a mill tour of Farmers’ Rice Cooperative.
“USA Rice also participates in technical meetings with Korea and Taiwan, however having 19 years of technical meetings with Japan has resulted in more transparency of trade between our two countries by working together to rectify technical issues," concluded Balafoutis.
Japan imports about 325,000 metric tons of U.S. rice each year with a value of more than $275 million dollars, making it one of the largest markets for the United States.
Both sides agreed that the 20th U.S.-Japan Rice Technical meeting will be held in Japan next year. ∆