ROATÁN, HONDURAS – Ten USA Rice staff and members participated in the 2026 Rice Summit here hosted by the National Association of Honduran Rice Millers (ANAMH), where USA Rice served as a diamond sponsor.  The two-day event featured discussions on the U.S. rice crop, quality and trade under the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), a technical workshop showcasing several U.S. rice varieties, freight outlook, consumer trends in Honduras, and the impact of Indian rice subsidies on Honduran rice farmers.

“Central America has long been one of the most important destinations for U.S. rice exports, and nowhere has that been more evident than here in Honduras,” said Vicki Manzoli, with U.S-based TRC Trading Company, who attended the event and serves as board member of the USA Rice Merchants and as chair of the USA Rice Western Hemisphere Promotion Subcommittee.  “Honduras has been a consistent buyer of U.S. rice, and the second largest paddy market for U.S. rice last year, and we were pleased to support our friends here at their conference.”

ANAMH recently conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Honduran consumers to better understand rice consumption habits.  When asked which characteristic matters most when choosing rice, 67 percent of respondents cited grain quality, while 23 percent pointed to price—highlighting the importance of maintaining a high-quality, consistent product in the market.

“There was considerable discussion about milling quality and questions about which varieties could provide a more consistent and reliable product for their market,” said Timothy Gertson, a rice farmer from Texas who along with Manzoli joined a panel discussing the CAFTA-DR.  “I made it clear that farmers are willing to grow any variety—we just need to ensure it remains profitable for them.”

Last year, the United States exported roughly $78 million worth of rice to Honduras, making it one of the top agricultural products traded between the two countries.  The United States is also the largest agricultural trading partner for Honduras overall, supplying about 40 percent of the country’s imported agricultural products.

“When U.S. farmers export rough rice to Honduras, they support local milling industries, transportation networks, and retail markets here.  In other words, the rice trade is not just a transaction—it is a shared value chain that benefits both sides,” said USA Rice COO Sarah Moran who also attended the event.  “The partnership between the United States and Honduras for rice is not only about feeding people today—it is about supporting the Honduran economy through the opportunities and jobs created by the business we do together and building a resilient, collaborative agricultural future for tomorrow.”

Published Date: March 13, 2026