Key facts
- Iraq has purchased 88,000 metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice from ADM Rice.
- The purchase is part of the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iraq.
- Shipments are scheduled for January and March 2026.
- This purchase is seen as a significant development for U.S. rice exports and producers.
- The long-standing USA Rice–Al Awees MOU has been in place since 2021.
Iraq has confirmed the purchase of 88,000 metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice from ADM Rice, marking a significant development for U.S. rice exports. The shipments are scheduled for January and March 2026, aligning with the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two nations. This purchase comes after a period of uncertainty due to delays in approving Iraq's fiscal year 2026 budget.
U.S. Senators John Boozman, Bill Cassidy, and Cindy Hyde-Smith had previously written to Chargé d’affaires Joshua Harris, emphasizing the importance of Iraq as a market for American farmers and urging the fulfillment of its MOU rice purchase commitments. USA Rice Chair Keith Glover highlighted Iraq's position as a top destination for U.S. long-grain rice and the trade's crucial role in Iraq's food import strategy and for American producers.
Congressman Clay Higgins also announced the purchase, noting it brings the total tonnage under the 2024-2025 MOU to 220,000 metric tons, surpassing the original agreement. Higgins has actively advocated for Louisiana's rice farmers and met with Iraqi Ambassador H.E. Nizar Al-Khairallah to discuss strengthening the partnership between the United States and Iraq. The USA Rice–Al Awees MOU has been a consistent element of this trade relationship since 2021, given Iraq's limited domestic production and preference for imported rice.