AMIS crops
The initial focus of AMIS is on four grains that are particularly important in international food markets, namely wheat, maize, rice and soybeans. Uniting G20 members (and Spain) plus seven major producers, consumers and exporters of agricultural commodities, AMIS participating countries represent a large share of global production, consumption and trade volumes of those four crops, typically in the range of 80-90 percent.
Rice
Rice is a cereal grain thought to have originated in the Yangtze River valley in China where it was domesticated at least 10,000 years ago. It is now widely cultivated around the world under a wide range of ecologies and climates. Rice is mainly an annual crop, even though it may survive as a perennial. It is grown predominantly under flooded conditions, as this facilitates fertilization and reduces the incidence of weeds and pest plants. More than one rice crop may be cultivated every season, especially under tropical and sub-tropical climates.
There are two major rice varieties grown, Indica and Japonica, but popular strains also include Basmati, Hom Mali and other aromatic rices. Despite its migration to other regions, Asia remains the hub of rice production, with many countries in the region growing more than one crop per season. Rice is principally a food commodity, with only few countries diverting supplies to feed or industrial uses.
More than half of global rice production is concentrated in China and India. Overall, AMIS countries account for about 80 percent of the total. Almost 50 million tonnes of rice are traded internationally, with around 80 percent being exported by AMIS countries. By contrast, AMIS countries account for a much smaller share of world rice imports.
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