Iraq Makes First U.S. Rice Purchase in Two Years

After a two-year void, U.S. rice will soon enter Iraq. The country purchased 80,000 metric tons from ADM and 40,000 tons from Supreme Rice, according to the USA Rice Federation.

The sales represent the first U.S. rice sales to the country in two years. The purchase comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed with the country, and Iraq agreed to purchase 200,000 tons of U.S. rice annually. A previous MOU resulted in 350,000 metric tons of sales to Iraq, worth $180 million.

The recent purchases are expected to arrive in the country in October and November

According to rice industry officials, Iraq has traditionally been a strong market for milled U.S. long grain rice; however, several factors - including the global COVID-19 pandemic- caused Iraq to cut off purchases, with no sales during the year 2020.

“These purchases are great news for our rice producers. I appreciate Ambassador Tueller’s efforts that led to this breakthrough, as these sales are a win-win for both the Iraqi people and our American rice farmers,” says Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.