U.S. Importing Three Billion Pounds of Chinese Rice

(WASHINGTON, DC) U.S. rice imports are projected to reach record levels this marketing year. The almost three billion pounds (2.92 billion lbs.) of projected rice imports in the marketing year that ends on August 1st, are more than double the levels from 15 years ago. Imports are projected to account for more than 22 percent of domestic and residual use of rice in 2019. Specialty varieties from South and Southeast Asia, which are not currently produced in the United States, account for the bulk of the imported rice and show long-term growth trends. The trends are driven by U.S. population growth, changing demographics, and greater restaurant sales. Additional growth has been due to the recent restoration of imports from China. Since May 2018, China has returned as a key supplier of medium and short-grain rice to Puerto Rico. China supplied the bulk of Puerto Rico’s rice from 12 years ago but was largely absent from the market for a decade.