University of Missouri Extension ag economist Ben Brown says new trade agreements and increased import commitments from Indonesia and other countries could create opportunities for stronger U.S. cotton and rice exports in the year ahead.

An ag economist with University of Missouri Extension says he sees the potential for stronger U.S. cotton and rice exports due to changes in international trade policies.

Ben Brown says Indonesia has committed to importing 1,000 metric tons of U.S. rice annually as part of a reciprocal trade deal, and the country recently increased its rice import quotas.

“The U.S. isn’t the largest supplier of rice, but we would see some shifts in the international market from there.”

He tells Brownfield it’s a similar story for cotton.

“There’s been, in the last month, a handful of countries have indiciated they plan to import more cotton,” says Brown. “Global shifts could see a little more cotton exports in the year ahead.”

The USDA says the United States is developing a tariff-rate quota system for Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia. The system would give certain textile and apparel imports from those countries preferential U.S. tariff treatment based on their purchases of American cotton and textile inputs, and it’s expected to launch in 2027.

Published Date: November 13, 2026