The 2003 US invasion of Iraq and the eight and a half year occupation were seen as a boon for a number of well-connected US industries. But with the grim war of “liberation” over, US farmers are finding that the new market in rice, far less regulated than in the Saddam era, isn’t suiting them so well. Iraqis are buying their rice elsewhere, and the US farmers are furious.
“That’s just not right,” noted one, “they ought to pay a premium for it just because this is the country that freed them.” Another farmer termed the lack of US sales a “slap in the face.” US officials say that Iraqis are “buying on price” and the US is losing out to cheaper rice in Asia and South America.
That’s part of the story, but only part. Some of the long grain purchases that were coming from the US have been replaced by similar rice from Uruguay, but a growing portion of Iraq’s rice imports are coming from India. The Iraqi Trade Ministry says this is because basmati rice from India is simply more popular, and sells better.
This is a big opportunity for India, which is thrilled to have a new export market at a time when Basmati rice is selling at its lowest prices since early 2001. While US farmers may grouse about the unfairness of the situation, the US doesn’t appear to have a way to force Iraqis to abandon Basmati in favor of a US grown variant.
“That’s just not right,” noted one, “they ought to pay a premium for it just because this is the country that freed them.”
Seriously? I wonder if the Bushies maybe told them that they'd have a dedicated market if they only supported the invasion and occupation – you know, for the good of the country…and US rice farmers, of course. What happened to the belief that the government shouldn't interfere with the free market philosophy? I guess that only applies when it can be used against the current administration.
I guess the US rice farmers want the Iraqis to thanks us for bombing them back to the stone age – how ungrateful… And personally, I prefer Basmati rice over the rice the comes out of those red states along the Mississippi valley.
I wouldn't say the Iraqi people are all that "grateful" in trading Saddam for a blasted shell of a country and countless dead. What kind of a bargain is that?
American rice, first of all, is not a first choice in most of the world. Secondly, it's expensive and bland tasting. Surely most people prefer Basmati or Jasmin. And, boy oh boy did we ever free the ungrateful schmucks!
they ought to pay a PREMIUM for it, ha, just for being graced by the destructive power of the United States military. How's that for the Ugly American epitomized. That's just a euphemism for we conquered Iraq fair and square and we paid good money for our cut of the loot and now we can't collect on it. what evil bastards – getting cheated of their blood profits is the least what they deserve.
Oh by all means we must send the troops back to Iraq to force them to buy lower-quality American rice at higher prices than they pay for better-quality Indian rice. The nerve of those Iraqis. SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL AMERICAN RICE FARMERS.
The "that's not right" quote is so full of fail I don't even know where to begin.
I definately agree with the Iraqies, Basmati rice has a wonderful flavor and aroma that long grain rice from the US doesn't plus it's very tender… Maybe the US farmers should instead of whining, start growing Basmati rice .
Farmers always welcome and support wars because wars almost always bring economic prosperity through increased exports of farm products, not to speak of feeding large armies here and abroad. During WW 1 and WW 2, farmers made more money than they have made since that time. Most Americans today are completely unaware of the fact, but since 1947, American farmers have comprised the largest block of well-fare recipients in the nation.
Iraqi who used to eat rice are already dead, was bombed by Bush. Those left are too poor to buy expensive US rice.
It would seem some Americans only want Iraq to be "free' when it suits them. The "pay a premium" comment beggars belief.
Rice Interagency Commodity Estimate Committee, they are kidding right? Sadly they do not have a website.
The USDA website claims 3170 hits on Iraq, 2310 hits on Afghanstian, 3930 Iran, 7620 Israel, and 24900 Iowa for comparison.
Picture of furious farmer Ray Stoesser right out of central casting. http://news.yahoo.com/photos/texas-rice-farmer-ra…
The land of Capitalism is complaining that the Iraqis have found a better product, a cheaper product, and a product, but in American Exceptionalism the US Rice Growers want to force the Iraqis to buy their brand. Want to bet these farmers would also be against having to buy a certain brand inferior truck if they could buy a better one cheaper! I bet they would say that they have the right to buy whatever truck they wanted!