MARK RASMUSSEN
EL CAMPO, TEXAS
Mark Rasmussen is a member of the US Rice Producers Association (USRPA), an alternate board member of the Texas Rice Council, and a third-generation rice farmer on the Texas Gulf Coast.
For decades, my family and I have farmed between 500–600 acres of conventional long-grain white rice. However, due to rising input costs – including fertilizer, fuel, seed, and crop protection products – combined with persistently low commodity prices, I have been forced to significantly scale back production. This year, I am farming only approximately 200 acres of jasmine rice under contract, and even that is, at best, a break-even venture.
Current market conditions show U.S. rice producers losing approximately $6.50 per hundredweight, or nearly $500 per acre. These are not sustainable losses and explain why producers like myself are being forced to reduce acreage or exit production altogether.
This decision does not just impact my operation – it has a ripple effect throughout our rural economy. Reduced rice acreage directly affects local seed and chemical dealers, fertilizer suppliers, equipment dealers, fuel providers, mills, and small-town businesses. A decline in rice farming weakens the entire agricultural infrastructure that supports our communities.
U.S. rice producers operate under market-oriented policies that emphasize food safety, environmental protection, and fair labor standards. We uphold American values of living wages, safe working conditions, clean air and water, conservation, and sustainable farming practices. While these standards are critical, they also increase production costs, especially when competing against countries that do not operate under the same requirements.
At the same time, U.S. rice producers are competing in a global market that is far from fair. Countries such as India and Thailand rely on government-administered price floors, direct subsidies, and public stockholding programs that artificially support their producers and depress global prices. These policies allow foreign rice to be sold below the cost of production for U.S. farmers, putting us at a significant disadvantage both domestically and abroad.
Imports have increased dramatically, rising nearly 250% since 2005. In 2024 alone, imports displaced approximately 600,000 acres of U.S. rice production. This trend continues to erode the viability of domestic agriculture.
Nearly 50% of rice consumed in the United States is now aromatic rice, such as jasmine. However, U.S. farmers currently supply less than 5% of this market, despite strong demand. Imports – particularly from Thailand – continue to grow rapidly. While I am producing jasmine rice, it remains only a break-even opportunity under current market conditions due to these distorted global pricing dynamics.
U.S.-grown food is not just an economic issue – it is a matter of national security. Maintaining a strong domestic agricultural sector ensures a stable, safe, and reliable food supply. Supporting American farmers aligns directly with broader efforts to strengthen domestic production and promote “Made in the USA” industries.
I respectfully urge policymakers to pursue enforcement actions such as Section 301 investigations into unfair trade practices, implement antidumping and countervailing duties where appropriate, and support USDA programs that allow U.S. farmers to compete in the growing aromatic rice market. Without meaningful action, the United States risks continued loss of domestic production capacity and increased dependence on foreign food sources. ∆
PHOTO: USRPA Board Members at the White House’s Great American Agriculture Celebration. Mark is the furthest to the left.
MARK RASMUSSEN
EL CAMPO, TEXAS