This week in Miami the COL-RICE Committee (Colombia Rice Export Quota, Inc.) met for their regular meeting to discuss the market and production conditions of both Colombia and the U.S., auctions, import needs, policies and related supply/demand issues. USRPA board member Dennis DeLaughter, an original member of the committee, participated in the meeting, and also met with Sandra Avellaneda, Executive Director for InduArroz (Colombian Rice Millers Association). USRPA Board Member Justin Landers of Missouri also currently services on the committee. 

Formed in 2012 by the rice industries of the two countries, the COL-RICE Committee administers the Tariff Rate Quota for rice established under the Free Trade Agreement. COL-RICE conducts open-tender auctions for duty free imports into Colombia. The USRPA has a long history with these issues going back to 1997-98 with the European TRQ, when U.S. rice farmers were going to be left out of the rebate funds. After extensive efforts, they were able to force a division of the funds to be fairly distributed to all rice farmers. That same format was used for the U.S.-Colombian FTA. The next auction will he held on October 6, 2022. www.col-rice.org