Lee Zeldin Sworn in as EPA Administrator

On Thursday, Lee Zeldin was sworn in as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Administrator Zeldin previously represented New York’s first congressional district before stepping down to run for governor in 2022. Administrator Zeldin emphasized the importance of protecting the economy and the environment during his nomination process. He is expected to put forth an agenda focused on deregulation. Administrator Zeldin was confirmed Wednesday on a 56-42 vote, with Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) voting with all Republicans in favor of confirmation.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Testifies Before Senate Committees

This week, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy testified before the Senate Committees on Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). Senators raised concern about Kennedy’s stances on agriculture, including pesticide policy and genetically modified organisms, as well as his stances on food policy, which have centered on food additives and ultra-processed foods. They urged him to allow USDA and EPA to guide agriculture policymaking to ensure policies implemented do not negatively impact farmers. The Senate Finance Committee will be the committee to determine if his nomination will be considered by the whole Senate. The Finance Committee has not yet scheduled when it will meet to vote on his nomination but its Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) indicated that he plans on holding the vote next week. A recording of the Senate Finance hearing can be found here and of the HELP hearing can be found here. 

The rice market continues to be overshadowed by happenings in Washington, as does most of the news around the world. Trump’s policies and executive orders are reshaping the way the United States has governed, tying immigration policies to economic sanctions. Colombia was front and center of this battle, which is a country near and dear to the U.S. rice industry, as it is a key export partner for long grain rice. In 2023, Colombia was the seventh largest export market for U.S. rice with 154 TMT, and through October 2024, it is the sixth largest market with 165 TMT. Regardless if one agrees or disagrees with the new policies, what is becoming abundantly clear is that the shockwaves will be felt in all strata of government and private industry. Paddy exports and a strong domestic market seem to be the key drivers that are staving off any steep price declines for U.S. prices at the moment. While the mills aren’t thrilled with the strength of paddy exports, diminishing our supply is certainly welcome as new crop-planting intentions are beginning to emerge. While prices for U.S. long grain had held steady at $800 pmt for the better part of last year, prices are now inching downwards, now closer to $740 pmt. Paddy prices are reported anywhere between $350-$360 pmt FOB NOLA. On the ground, pricing is a bit soft, reflecting what we’re seeing in the global markets. In Texas, the price is $14.70, while in Louisiana prices are reported $14.50-$14.80/cwt. In Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, we are seeing prices from $13.75-$14.00/cwt. These prices are certainly lower than producers want, and it will be interesting to see how planting intentions emerge in the coming month. With medium grain prices where they are, we don’t expect to see any plantings outside of what’s contracted in that market. That could result in a larger acreage of long grain rice, but that’s all dependent on the bean price. We understand a seed shortage is going to have an impact on long grain acres, lower yields, etc. Some predict long grain acres will be lowered by over 200,000 acres from last year. The Mercosur harvest has yet to enter full swing with most of the cutting so far in Paraguay and northern Argentina. The overall crop is reported to be in good shape in the four countries. A recent sale of Argentine paddy at $325 pmt FOB Las Palmas, Argentina reportedly sold to Venezuela has sent a few shock waves into the market. In Asia, competition remains fierce from the primary export origins. It is a strong supply continuing to pour out of India, which is resulting in tense pricing wars among Thailand, Vietnam, and India. For so long, the expectation was that India would continue to be the low-price leader, but about five weeks ago, Vietnam broke that norm and has consistently been offering rice below Indian offerings. Viet prices are currently at $415 pmt, while India is at $425 pmt, and Thailand is comfortably at $445 pmt. Some large buyers like Indonesia and the Philippines have been relatively quiet as of late, and their lack of activity certainly takes its toll on the pricing equation. The weekly USDA Export Sales report shows net sales of 104,400 MT last week, up 125% from the previous week and up from the prior 4-week average. Exports of 51,700 MT were up 24% from the previous week and 34% from the prior 4-week average.

On behalf of the US Rice Producers Association, Neal Stoesser, rice producer from Raywood, Texas, and USRPA Chairman, issued the following statement on the release of the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

“USRPA applauds the inclusion of disaster and economic assistance for agricultural producers included. Thanks to the tireless efforts of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, and each of their respective staffs, producers will receive the assistance they need to compete in this ever-charging environment. They have also ensured that the farm bill programs that farmers across agriculture rely on were reauthorized for another year.

“Rice farmers are grateful and encouraged as we look forward to working with these servant leaders to enact a 2025 farm bill that lifts up the farm safety net and the farmers who depend on it to feed their families, our country, and the world.”

In light of the following facts and the ongoing deterioration of economic conditions threatening the financial survival of America’s farmers, the US Rice Producers Association calls on the Congress not to leave for a holiday without providing sufficient farm economic assistance to ensure that our farmers can survive to plant a crop next year.

• $131 per acre: The amount rice farmers on average are losing on their crop this year.

• $30 billion: Losses across U.S. agriculture in 2024.

• 441 days: How long it has been since the 2018 farm bill expired, during which time Congress has not acted to update the law to reflect today’s inflated production costs and lagging prices.

Rice Producers call on Congress not to leave for the holidays without first providing sufficient economic assistance to ensure that our farmers can hold on to plant a crop next year.

Chart Source: Terrain Agricultural Economics

The activities of this trade fair will take place from November 28 to December 23, positioning it once again as a key event for the year-end festivities in Guatemala. The event is organized by Comité Permanente de Exposiciones (Coperex), and this year, Interfer celebrates 53 years of history, consolidating itself as one of the largest and most traditional fairs in the country. Since its inception, when it was known as the Interfer Christmas Bazaar, it has evolved into a platform that not only promotes local commerce but also strengthens the connection between Guatemalan companies and international markets. Interfer is not just a commercial space; it is also a place where Guatemalan families can enjoy, share, and find everything they need for year-end celebrations. With more than 500 stands, visitors will find a wide variety of products, ranging from festive clothing to school supplies. Additionally, the fair provides an ideal environment for shopping, offering a safe and comfortable setting. "Interfer 2024 is an invitation to revive a tradition that brings families together, promotes culture, and offers unforgettable moments." Gabriela López, " Coperex Assistant Manager.

USRPA, in collaboration with ARROZGUA, will prepare eight large pots to showcase at Interfer. Pictured above is one of the pots made for the opening night of the park to the public. Each large pot contains enough food to serve 2,500 free meals, ensuring that a significant number of visitors can enjoy a hearty meal showcasing U.S. rice during their time at Interfer. This initiative highlights the event's commitment to community engagement, providing both nourishment and a sense of togetherness to all attendees.

US Rice Producers Association will once again be among the sponsors of the annual Western Rice Belt Production Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the El Campo Civic Center. The Rice Conference features a Production Conference for rice producers and industry professionals, as well as a Rice Consumers Seminar for homemakers.  Registration for the conference will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the main program to begin at 8:15 a.m. After a catered lunch, provided by area agribusiness sponsors, the program will conclude around 2:45 p.m.  Topics and speakers will include Kernel Smut Research – Paul Goetze; Current Events in Rice Production – Sam Rustom; LCRA Irrigation Water Update – Kelly Payne; New Herbicide Technology in Rice – Conner Webster; USDA-NCRS Conservation Programs Update – TBA; Pesticide Application using UAV Drones – Dan Martin; Texas Rice Council Report—Tommy Turner; Texas Rice Research Foundation Report—Galen Franz; USA Rice Update – Jamison Cruce; Farm Policy Update – Natalie Graff. The results of the Rice Poster Contest will be announced during the lunch hour by County Extension Agents Lori Garcia and Laura Reyna.  Attendance at the Western Rice Belt Conference is free of charge, thanks to the generous support of sponsors who back the rice industry. The Planning Committee requests that all attendees RSVP by January 8th to help with meal planning.

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Boozman Stresses Economic Assistance Relief for Struggling Farm Families

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, urged Congress to provide emergency economic assistance to agricultural producers facing market losses.  “It’s clear the pain our farm families are living through,” Boozman said in remarks on the Senate floor. “For some producers, this is the second or third consecutive year of negative cash flow. This means many farm families are ending 2024 in the red, unable to pay off this year’s operating loan, unable to get the loan to farm in 2025, and face the reality of being the generation to have lost the family farm due to extreme market conditions beyond their control.” Increased input costs, high interest rates and depressed commodity prices have created significant challenges for rural America. Boozman has continued calling for federal assistance to support American producers and the industry’s long-term outlook. “We need to provide producers with the certainty and predictability to be able to go to the bank and have confidence that help is on the way so they can continue farming,” Boozman said. Watch Full Remarks

The market has been sleeping off its Thanksgiving turkey hangover, with a consistent market since our last report. There is a bright spot of special note as this week's Export Sales report logged a marketing year high for exports of 99,700 MT, with Nicaragua, Honduras, and Venezuela receiving the lion’s share of the business. We’ve known the business is out there, but seeing it materialize has proven difficult. It’s also worth mentioning that we may see an increase in activity and reports of the ability to ship parboiled into the West African market. This may sound like a long shot given the Indian and Pakistani prices, but there was a time when it was normal for a significant amount of U.S.-parboiled rice to find its home in West Africa. Any form of disappearance is welcomed in the global supply glut, and parboiled rice may be a good outlet given the quality constraints. On the ground, prices in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi are still resting at $15.25/cwt. Louisiana is looking at $15.50/cwt, and Texas is $15.50-$16.10/cwt. The world market price for Long Grain per the USDA this week sits at $12.75/cwt. Long grain milled prices are beginning to soften after holding steady at $800pmt for months, with most recent reports being closer to $790pmt. An interesting fact to point out is that in the calendar year, the U.S. has officially exported more rice in the first nine months of the year than the whole of 2023. In the Eastern Hemisphere, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan didn’t take a Thanksgiving holiday. Instead, they continued to duke it out over significant buyers like Indonesia, the Philippines, West Africa, and Iraq (yes, Iraq, whom we hope will book more tenders for U.S. long grain in the coming months, albeit at higher prices). India and Pakistan prices are at least consistent on the bottom over the last two weeks around $450-$460pmt, while Viet is just over $520pmt, and Viet is closer to $525pmt. Even in the face of India’s huge supplies, demand has remained strong, which has helped prevent catastrophe in overall rice prices. The weekly USDA Export Sales report shows net sales of 83,300 MT this week, up noticeably from the previous week and up 15% from the prior 4-week average. Increases primarily for South Korea (30,100 MT), Nicaragua (27,500 MT), Mexico (13,100 MT), Saudi Arabia (8,700 MT), and Japan (4,600 MT), were offset by reductions for Honduras (1,600 MT). Exports of 99,700 MT - a marketing-year high - were up 21% from the previous week and 70% from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to Nicaragua (27,500 MT), Honduras (24,200 MT), Venezuela (22,100 MT), Saudi Arabia (8,800 MT), and the United Kingdom (8,000 MT).

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