A producer in California has agreed a deal to export the first-ever sale of U.S. rice to buyers in China.
About seven months ago, China officially opened its import market to U.S. rice, ending 20 years of haggling over details such as phytosanitary protocols, but bureaucracy and Chinese tariffs have been blamed for delaying import purchases.
This is a turning point for the U.S. rice industry and its relationship with China; it is the first sale ever of U.S. rice to a private importer.
The exporter made the deal with Chinese buyers during the U.S.-sponsored World Rice Summit trade show in Guanzhou, China.