China Finally Opens to Rice Growers, Though It's Iraq That Has Saved the Day for Louisiana Farmers
By Anthony McAuley, NOLA.com
A California rice sale to China two weeks ago is a big breakthrough for rice growers and could finally open a huge market to Louisiana growers, officials said. China, the largest market for rice in the world, has been shut to the U.S. even before the recent trade war, which has seen tariffs of up to 26% on U.S. rice imports. For years, China stalled on giving U.S. rice the official stamp of approval, though last year a Chinese delegation toured U.S. rice mills and certified many of them for exports.