Iraq buys 60,000 metric tons of U.S. rice

Iraq buys 60,000 metric tons of U.S. rice    Iraq will buy 60,000 metric tons of U.S. rice, marking a return of American rice to the Iraqi market.
   Iraq was once the top export market for U.S. rice and this is the first Iraq rice sale reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture since the 2000-2001 marketing year. “Our rice industry is to be commended for its successful efforts to regain access to this important market,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in a statement Thursday.
   In addition to rice, Iraq previously imported large volumes of U.S.-produced corn, wheat, feed ingredients and wood products. “USDA staff in Iraq and here at home have been working diligently on behalf of U.S. agriculture to develop that market again,” Johanns said.