USRPA aims to expand US rice production, reduce reliance on Thai imports

The US Rice Producers Association (USRPA) is prioritizing the expansion of US rice production and gradually replacing imports from Thailand, while tackling carryover stocks and market pressures, President and CEO Mollie Landers Buckler told Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, in an interview. “Over time, we want to grow US rice and provide buyers with a domestic alternative to imported Thai rice,” Buckler said. The association is also focused on global market development and supporting farmers through challenging market conditions. The US government set a 19% tariff on imports from Thailand, effective Aug. 1. The US ranks as the second-largest buyer of Thai rice, importing 491,987 metric tons from January to July 2025, according to data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association. This represents a 5.7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Export priorities and Mexico focus Mexico is a critical export market, importing roughly one-quarter of total US ...