ITC investigates global rice trade

   The U.S. International Trade Commission has started an investigation into the global rice trade. 
   The investigation, “Rice: Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry,” was requested by the House Ways and Means Committee. ITC will deliver the report to the committee by April 14, 2015. 
   Specifically, the ITC will examine factors of competition in major rice-producing and exporting countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam, plus the United States. The fact-finding agency will also study costs of production, industry structure, input prices and availability, pricing and marketing regimes, and government policies that affect rice production and export in these countries.
   The ITC will hold a public hearing related to its global rice trade investigation at its Washington headquarters on Sept. 10. Written comments must be submitted to the agency by Dec. 9. For more details about the investigation, access the ITC website.