Last year, the industry exported rice to more than 100 countries. We at Riceland exported rice to more than 50 countries. Trade and trade policy, therefore, are critical to our continuing success. The volume of exports usually is the dominating factor in determining the prices our growers receive for their rice. Part of the answer to this question is that we continue to increase per capita consumption of rice in this country.
Rice fits today's lifestyle centered on diet, nutrition and health.
Equally important has been the success that rice has had from recent international trade negotiations. As a result, Mexico was the leading export market for U.S. rice during the past three years. In the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, Japan agreed to import a share of its domestic consumption from the outside world. This concession has been of substantial benefit to the U.S. rice industry. Although most of the U.S. rice exported to Japan has come from California, the entire industry has benefited from the greater export demand, including we in the South.