USA Rice Joins USDA Trade Mission To UK

LONDON, UK

   USA Rice participated in the Agricultural Trade Mission here last week, together with representatives of more than 35 U.S. agribusinesses and farm organizations, state departments of agriculture, as well as several private trade organizations, including USA Rice member, Sun Valley Rice.

   The mission was led by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh.

   “The United States enjoys a well-deserved reputation as the provider of world-class agricultural products that meet the demands of consumers around the globe. I’m very excited to lead a delegation to the United Kingdom, one of our top trading partners,” Bronaugh said. 

   “The United Kingdom presents strong marketing opportunities for many U.S. consumer-oriented products.”

   During the three-day mission participants engaged directly with foreign buyers, received in-depth market briefs from the local USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) post and industry trade experts, and participated in site visits. USA Rice also had the opportunity to engage directly with the Deputy Secretary during a cooperator meeting, reiterating the importance and potential of the UK market for all different types and forms of U.S. rice.

   “It was a great opportunity and also great timing for USA Rice to be part of this trade mission to the UK,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who was in attendance. 

   “The UK is the largest market for U.S. rice in Europe, and U.S. rice sales show a positive trend so far this year, with a 144 percent increase in the first four months in 2022 compared to the same period last year. Since the 25 percent retaliatory tariff on milled and broken rice was lifted on June 1, we expect increased interest from local UK buyers. We have built strong relationships with UK importers over the years here, and look forward to capitalizing on this to continue to increase U.S. rice sales.” ∆

 USA Rice's Eszter Somogyi (center) joins Sun Valley Rice reps on UK trade mission