APHIS has notified U.S. industry and updated requirements in the Phytosanitary Export Database system on October 24 to allow shipments to initiate under the interim conditions that Ecuador set.
On October 5, Ecuador opened its domestic market for U.S.-origin rough rice, allowing for a potential $155 million annual market for American rice producers. This decision followed consultations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and industry officials.
Ecuador’s national plant protection organization, Agencia Ecuatoriana de Aseguramiento de la Calidad del Agro (AGROCALIDAD), established interim entry requirements that are effective for U.S.-origin rough rice (Oryza sativa L.). These interim requirements followed a successful site visit by AGROCALIDAD to U.S. rice production regions and a site visit closeout conference that included APHIS and AGROCALIDAD. The U.S. Rice Producers Association sponsored the visit with APHIS’ involvement.
APHIS has notified U.S. industry and updated requirements in the Phytosanitary Export Database system on October 24 to allow shipments to initiate under the interim conditions that Ecuador set; importers have already arranged purchases under these terms. A pest risk assessment is pending by AGROCALIDAD, after which they will make a final decision on requirements.
This project, which was initiated in July 2023, led to a fast-track interim access with AGROCALIDAD’s support—a trade win for both countries.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Editor’s note: “Rough rice is the whole rice grain that is harvested from the rice plant. It includes the hull, which is the hard protective covering that accounts for 20% of the grain’s size. Also known as paddy rice, rough rice has a coarse consistency.” ~ https://commodity.com/soft-agricultural/rough-rice/
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