Iraq has resumed purchasing rice from the United States, marking a significant development after months of financial restrictions. A vessel of U.S. rice has been sold and is set to be delivered to Iraq in the fall. This sale is welcomed by the U.S. rice industry, especially in Arkansas, where it comes at a beneficial time with the harvest in full swing. The resumption of purchases follows efforts by Senators John Boozman, Bill Cassidy, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and other officials to restore the market. Iraq was the fourth largest export market for U.S. rice in 2023, particularly for long grain milled rice.