Top 10 Biggest Rice Importers in USA of 2023-24

US Rice Imports worth $1.42 billion in 2023

Total US rice imports amounted to $1.42 billion in 2023, an increase of 1% from the previous year. Rice imports to the US accounted for $760 million in the first six months of 2024. The US is the 4th biggest rice importer in the world in 2023-24. The United States has become a major player in the global rice market, both as a producer and as a consumer. Rice is the 306th most imported commodity in the US. Rice has the 4-digit HS code 1006. One key aspect of the US rice industry that has garnered significant attention is the country's rice imports. In this article, we will explore the impact of US rice imports on the economy, examining both the benefits and challenges associated with this practice.

USA Importers Data | Top 10 Rice Importers in the USA

According to the latest USA Rice Importers data, These are the leading importers of rice in the USA, with their import values in 2023

1. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

ADM is one of the largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers in the world. With its vast network and resources, the company plays a critical role in importing rice to the USA. Founded in 1902, the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) is a global American food processing and commodities trading firm.

• Import Quantity: 200,000 to 500,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $100 million to $300 million annually

• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

2. Cargill, Inc.

Cargill is another major player in the rice import industry, supplying a large portion of the rice consumed in the US. The company's global reach and expertise in agricultural commodities make it a key importer in the market. Founded in Wilmington, Delaware, Cargill Incorporated is a worldwide food firm. William Wallace Cargill founded it in 1865, and in terms of sales, it is the biggest privately held firm in the country.

• Import Quantity: 300,000 to 700,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $150 million to $400 million annually

• Headquarters: Minnetonka, Minnesota

3. RiceTec, Inc.

As an importer, the company provides a unique range of rice varieties to meet the diverse preferences of consumers in the US. RiceTec Inc. is a privately held American firm that produces and develops hybrid rice seeds for the US market as well as other worldwide markets. Previously, RiceTec was the owner of the consumer brand RiceSelect, which is used to sell Texmati brand rice in grocery shops across North America.

• Import Quantity: 50,000 to 100,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $20 million to $60 million annually

• Headquarters: Alvin, Texas

4. Louisiana Rice Mill, LLC

Louisiana Rice Mill is a prominent importer of rice from various regions, offering high-quality products to meet the growing demand in the US market. The leading rice importer in the United States on the Gulf Coast is Louisiana Rice Mill LLC. The company offers mill feed, ground rice hulls, brewers, long-grain rough rice, and rice bran.

• Import Quantity: 50,000 to 150,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $25 million to $75 million annually

• Headquarters: Los Angeles California

5. California Rice Company

California Rice Company specializes in importing premium rice varieties to cater to the discerning tastes of consumers in the US. It is the 5th biggest rice importer in the USA with huge quantities of rice imports.

• Import Quantity: 30,000 to 100,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $15 million to $50 million annually

• Headquarters: California

6. Miller Milling Company

Miller Milling Company focuses on importing high-quality milled rice products to meet the demands of the food service and retail sectors in the US. Miller Milling, with six strategically placed sites around the nation, is among the top four milling operations in the United States. In the USA, it is a major importer of rice.

• Import Quantity: 20,000 to 50,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $10 million to $30 million annually

• Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota

7. Hain Celestial Group

Hain Celestial Group is a leading importer of organic and natural rice products, catering to health-conscious consumers in the US. Based in the US, The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. is a global food and personal care corporation. Originally established in 1993 as the Hain Food Group, it merged with Celestial Seasonings in 2000 and adopted the new name Hain Celestial Group.

• Import Quantity: 10,000 to 30,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $5 million to $15 million annually

• Headquarters: Hoboken, New Jersey

8. J.M. Smucker Company

J.M. Smucker Company imports a range of rice products to add to its diverse portfolio of food and beverage offerings in the US. The J.M. Smucker Company, a.k.a. Smuckers, is an American company that produces food and drink items. Established in 1897 as an apple butter manufacturer. The three main business divisions of J.M. Smucker at the moment are coffee, pet food, and consumer goods.

• Import Quantity: 10,000 to 30,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $5 million to $15 million annually

• Headquarters: Orrville, Ohio

9. Olam Group

Olam Group is a global agribusiness company that imports a significant amount of rice to meet the demand in the US market. Operating in 60 countries, Olam International is an agribusiness firm that supplies food and industrial raw materials to over 20,900 customers globally, making it one of the world's top suppliers of rice, cocoa beans, coffee, and cotton.

• Import Quantity: 200,000 to 500,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $100 million to $300 million annually

• Headquarters: Fresno, California

10. LDC (Louis Dreyfus Company)

LDC, also known as Louis Dreyfus Company, is a major player in the rice import industry, supplying a substantial amount of rice to the US market. The French merchant company Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. is active in finance, international shipping, agriculture, and food processing.

• Import Quantity: 200,000 to 400,000 metric tons annually

• Import Value: $100 million to $250 million annually

• Headquarters: Wilton, Connecticut

US Rice Imports & Consumption Reach All-Time High in 2023

Over more than 30 years, US rice imports have increased significantly, rising from over 7% of the national marketplace in 1993–1994 (August–July) to over 25% by 2022–2023. The US imported 1.3 million metric tons of rice in 2023, valued at $1.42 billion. 

More than 60% of US rice imports consist of Asian aromatic rice types, primarily basmati from India and Pakistan and jasmine from Thailand. US rice consumption also reached an all-time high of 4.60 million metric tons in 2023. 

Over the past few decades, the US has seen a steady increase in its rice imports. This can be attributed to several factors, including changing consumer preferences, fluctuations in domestic rice production, and increased demand for certain types of rice not traditionally grown in the US. 

Rice is one of the most popular grains in the US, with Americans consuming approximately 4.6 million metric tons of it in the trading year 2023.

Key Insights of US Rice Imports in 2024

• Accoding to live US Import data US rice imports had a total value of $760 million in the first two quarters of 2024.

• US rice consumption reached 5.14 million metric tons in the first six months of 2024.

• Rice imported into the US had a total quantity of 683.47 thousand tons in the first 6 months of 2024.

US rice imports by country: Where does the US import rice from in 2023?

The US imports the most rice from Thailand worth $733.68 million in the fiscal year 2023. The top 10 rice import partners of the US include:

1. Thailand: $733.68 million (51.6%)

2. India: $378.51 million (26.6%)

3. Pakistan: $60.67 million (4.3%)

4. China: $45.04 million (3.2%)

5. Vietnam: $30.84 million (2.2%)

6. Brazil: $30.70 million (2.2%)

7. Italy: $23.56 million (1.7%)

8. Canada: $20.93 million (1.5%)

9. Australia: $20.29 million (1.4%)

10. Argentina: $16.99 million (1.2%)

Major Rice import varieties in the US

The top US rice import varieties in 2023 include:

• Semi-milled or wholly milled rice (HS Code 100630): $1.33 billion

• Husked or brown rice (HS Code 100620): $56.96 million

• Broken rice (HS Code 100640): $30.81 million

• Rice in the husk (HS Code 100610): $133K

US Rice imports, quantity, and consumption in the last 10 years

Biggest Rice Importers in the USA in 2023-24 

Imports of rice are essential to ensuring that American families have a consistent supply of this nutrient-rich staple. These committed individuals make it easier for rice to travel from global sources to local markets. Let's examine a few of the top 10 rice importers in the US who back this vital tactic. The major rice-importing companies in the US with their import values in 2023 include:

• Producers Rice Mill Inc: $135 million

• Mars Food North America LLC: $124 million

• LT Foods Americas Inc: $105 million

• Amira Nature Foods: $92 million

• JFC International Inc.: $88 million

• Sunrise Commodities Inc: $72 million

• Tarbani Foods: $62 million

• American Commercial Transport Inc: $58 million

• Kohinoor Foods USA Inc: $56 million

• Apex Maritime Co. Inc: $44 million

Economic Benefits of US Rice Imports

The inflow of rice imports into the USA marketplace has brought numerous economic benefits. Firstly, it has allowed purchasers to get admission to a greater variety of rice options, together with areas of expertise in rice from international locations like Thailand, Vietnam, and India. This has not simplest elevated customer preference but has also caused extra competition in the market, in the end driving down costs for consumers. Additionally, US rice imports have enabled American meal organizations to source fantastic rice at competitive costs, which has helped to decrease manufacturing costs and improve profitability.

Challenges of US Rice Imports

While US rice imports have introduced benefits to the economy, there also are challenges related to this practice. One main difficulty is the impact on domestic rice producers, who may struggle to compete with cheaper imported rice. This can lead to decreased demand for American-grown rice, jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers and perilous the sustainability of the United States rice enterprise. Furthermore, the reliance on rice imports could make America prone to fluctuations in the global rice market, including modifications in change policies, weather-associated crop disasters, or geopolitical tensions. This can disrupt the supply chain and cause charge volatility, which can have poor consequences for each client and organization.

Conclusion

To conclude, US rice imports play a good sized position in the nation's economic system, offering customers a diverse variety of rice options and supporting the growth of associated industries. However, it is important to cautiously balance the advantages and demanding situations related to this practice to ensure the lengthy-time period sustainability of the US rice enterprise. By fostering a competitive marketplace environment and assisting domestic rice manufacturers, the United States can benefit from rice imports whilst safeguarding its monetary pursuits.

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