First California Rice in Two Decades to Begin Steaming Its Way Toward Japan
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dock workers Tuesday began loading 7,500 tons of California rice bound for Japan for the first time in nearly two decades.
California rice industry and port officials said they hope the shipment will lead to further exports and the lowering of Japanese trade barriers on foreign rice.
“This is an important cargo for the Sacramento area, the California rice industry and the port,” said Michael Vernon, director of the Port of Sacramento.
The Japanese government earlier this fall announced an emergency import of 1.1 million tons of rice to make up for a shortfall in its domestic harvest.
Because of a cool, rainy summer, Japan’s rice harvest this year is expected to be its worst since World War II.
California rice producers predicted Japan will need another 1.4 million tons over the next year. They said California could supply 500,000 tons of that.
The Japanese government has called the emergency import a onetime exception to Japan’s longstanding ban on foreign rice.
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