USDA allocates $5 million to USA Rice for global promotion, vital for competitiveness as half of US rice crop is exported.
The US Department of Agriculture has allocated 2026 Market Access Programme and Foreign Market Development funds, awarding USA Rice more than US$5 million to support overseas promotion, reports US Rice Daily of Arlington, Virginia.
USA Rice is one of only 18 organizations receiving FMD funds. President and CEO Peter Bachmann stated that these programs are vital in helping American farmers remain competitive amid industry headwinds.
USA Rice combines state checkoff funds, industry dues, and federal allocations to promote US rice in nearly two dozen overseas markets. Senior Vice President Steve Vargas noted that the funds have significantly boosted exports to Japan, Honduras, and the West Bank.
The USDA also awarded US$77,000 to support promotional activities for wild rice, benefiting the California Wild Rice Advisory Board and the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council.
With half of the US rice crop exported, industry leaders emphasize that the MAP and FMD programs are critical to sustaining and expanding global market share for American rice producers.
