May 19, 2008
Japan announced that it would begin re-exporting surplus rice previously imported from the U.S., Thailand and Vietnam just one week after CGD released a paper by rice trade expert Tom Slayton and CGD non-resident fellow Peter Timmer urging just such a move. The news eased speculative pressure in global rice markets but bringing prices down to levels that poor people can afford will require that other rice exporters who are withholding supplies from the market also do their part, Slayton and Timmer write.