jpeg.jpg

Volume 19, Issue 27

July 15, 2022

In This Issue:

  • Market Update: 2022 Rice Harvest Set to Begin
  • Washington, D.C. Update
  • USRPA Welcomes New Staff Member
  • Around the World with USRPA: Scenes from Arkansas, Guatemala, & Texas

View as Webpage

Market Update: 2022 Rice Harvest Set to Begin

In virtually every rice growing state, the cash market continues to be stagnant, similar to the nearby futures contract which has basically traded sideways since the beginning of the month.


Based on the USDA crop progress report, the crop is in generally lower condition than last year. Currently 75% of Arkansas’ rice is in either good or excellent condition compared to the 88% at this time last year. As for rice headed, the two crop years are on parity with each other. Along the gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana a number of farmers began draining fields a few days ago and unless someone isn’t already cutting this week, then next week for sure, assuming the weather continues dry.


Globally, all eyes are still on Asia where rice demand is believed to be stronger due to the Russian & Ukraine wheat fallout. As the Middle East and North African markets hunt for alternative calories, rice is expected to become one of the key substitutes in this normally heavy wheat consuming region. Another factor that can place strain on the world rice market pertains to the fertilizer issue. Growers in Asia were clearly forced to ration fertilizer on higher prices, but the effects of those agronomical decisions have yet to be seen. China is already reporting increased pest and disease problems with its rice crop and Thailand anticipates lower yields due to the inflated fertilizer and chemical costs. Since the Russia invasion, rice prices have remained rather stable when compared to wheat and corn. However, the last time the grain trade was this disrupted was in 2008, when rice prices ran past $1000 per ton, nearly twice the current value. 


For the past year, India has sustained the lowest long grain export prices in all of Asia; according to the USDA Grain: World Markets and Trade report that may change in the months ahead as India, along with Pakistan and Cambodia brace for increased demand. The high domestic prices in Vietnam are pushing traders to source more and more rice each week from India, which should eventually strengthen India’s prices. Pakistan, a large wheat producer and consumer, has been afflicted by hot and dry conditions which will ultimately lead to lower output for both rice and wheat. The European Union is also grappling with severe drought which will force the region to boost imports in 2022/23. Overall, global rice stocks are set to decline in 2022/23 while the global rice trade is forecast to expand. 

Washington, D.C. Update

The House continues work on the upcoming farm bill. This week, the House Agriculture Committee held two hearings on the bill’s forestry provisions and the state of credit for underserved farmers and Ranchers. The House Agriculture Committee announced a hearing next week on Title XI crop insurance programs. The Committee also has two upcoming listening sessions: one in Washington on July 22 and one in Minnesota on July 25. In addition, the Committee has opened a public feedback form to solicit input from producers, stakeholders, and consumers on the farm bill’s programs.

 

This week, members of Congress advocated to the Administration to take action to improve access to fertilizer and pesticides. First, the Ranking Members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, Rep. Thompson (R-PA) and Sen. Boozman (R-AR), wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to call on the EPA to cease the politicization of crop protection tools. The letter advocates for science-based and transparent regulatory processes for pesticides. This letter can be found here. In addition, over 30 Republican members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden urging him to waive duties on fertilizer imports from Morocco and Trinidad and Tobago. The letter notes the potential impacts of the fertilizer shortage on domestic agricultural production and calls on the Administration to amend current trade policy to improve access to fertilizer. This letter can be found here.

 

Over 20 Republican Senators sent a letter to Doug McKalip, the nominee for the chief agricultural negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative. The letter congratulates Mr. McKalip on his nomination and urges him to provide support to domestic producers if confirmed. The letter argues that improving market access for U.S. exports would reduce some of the pressure currently facing farmers and ranchers and help the U.S. remain competitive in the global market. The letter can be found here.

Iris Figueroa

USRPA Welcomes New Staff Member


This week, Iris Figueroa joined US Rice Producers Association as Office and Technology Manager. Iris completed her bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and received her MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. She has over 10 years' experience in office management and has held various administrative positions in different industries including construction, healthcare, and banking. Born in Puerto Rico, Iris is fully bilingual (English / Spanish). At a very young age her family relocated to Brownsville, Texas where she lived for five years and then returned to Puerto Rico. Iris returned to Texas in 2012 and currently lives in Richmond, TX. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her twin girls. 

Around the World with USRPA: Scenes from Arkansas, Guatemala, & Texas

Arkansas - A Visit with PJ Haynie, Arkansas River Rice

Last week in Arkansas, USRPA Advisor Dwight Roberts enjoyed a visit with PJ Haynie, Chief Executive Officer for Arkansas River Rice, a rice mill located near Pine Bluff. PJ also farms rice, soybeans, and corn just west of the town of Marvell, Arkansas. A graduate of Virginia Tech, PJ is a fifth-generation farmer, growing up in northern Virginia where Haynie Farms owns and operates a transportation company that specializes in food grade logistics in addition to farming corn, wheat, soybeans, and canola. PJ currently serves as the Chairman of the National Black Growers Council. PJ and his wife Dr. Lisa Haynie reside in Reedville, VA with their three children. Visit www.arkansasriverrice.com to learn more.

Guatemala - U.S. Embassy Celebrates 4th of July with Jambalaya

The U.S. Embassy hosted an Independence Day reception at its new state-of-the-art facility in Cayala last week. USRPA and ARROZGUA participated in the event, which included a giant pot of jambalaya made with U.S. rice. Above, U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp pauses for a photo op with some of our Guatemalan representatives. 

Texas - Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center Rice Field Day

On Thursday, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center held its 74th Annual Rice Field Day in Beaumont. In addition to updates from researchers including Dr. Lee Tarpley (pictured above), USRPA President & CEO Marcela Garcia gave remarks to the group.

b5ef8bc0-6c11-48bc-a332-14e04cc50500 image

Cornerstone Trade Update

July 15, 2022
b5ef8bc0-6c11-48bc-a332-14e04cc50500 image

Food and Ag Regulatory and Policy Roundup

July 11, 2022

Grain: World Markets & Trade

This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye).

Latest Report

World Agricultural Production

Monthly report on crop acreage, yield and production in major countries worldwide. The report reflects official USDA estimates released in the monthly World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE).


Latest Report

Arkansas Rice Updates

from the

Arkansas Row Crops Blog

Latest Report
CropSurvey_Title image
TexasRiceAreas image
Latest Report

Upcoming Events

July 21, 2022

Dyna-Gro Rice Breeding & Research Field Tour, El Campo Texas

More Information

August 11, 2022

RiceTec Field Day (in-person), Harrisburg, Arkansas

August 23, 2022

Missouri Rice Research & Merchandising Council Field Day,

Glennonville, Missouri

More Information

logo-sombra-negra-01-01.png

25722 Kingsland Blvd., Suite 203

Katy, TX 77494

p. (713) 974-7423

f. (713) 974-7696

e. info@usriceproducers.com

www.usriceproducers.com


We Value Your Input!

 

Send us updates, photos, questions, or comments!

Contact Us!

USRPA does not discriminate in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital/family status. Persons who require alternative means for communication of information (such as Braille, large print, sign language interpreter or translation) should contact USRPA at 713-974-7423.