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About Us

Founded by Jeremy Zwinger in 2002, The International Commodity Institute is the umbrella organization that serves to offer clients an integrated media source that connects all critical aspects of the world rice industry. The institute brings together in-depth market reports and analysis (The Rice Trader publications), trade networking (World Rice Conference and other Events), expounding in various media (Weekly Direct TV Interviews), working with international producers of commodities (Farm & Trade), helping entities with global consulting, and international recognition for achievements and contributions to the global rice industry (World’s Best Rice Award and The Rice Trader Lifetime Achievement Award).

From farm to fork, from research to destination, the rice industry will be able to utilize the tools offered by the International Commodities Institute for insights and the ability to understand short, medium, and long term industry consequences, interpret market dynamics into commercial success…

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Our Mission

The Rice Trader is the world’s leading trade publication dedicated to in-depth analysis of the global rice industry. We assist your organization with valuable intelligence for risk management, trade, and decision-making abilities across the rice industry supply chain.

Rice is the staple food for over three billion people making it the world’s most important grain. Leaders from over 20 countries and every corner of the rice industry receive The Rice Trader. They rely on it to determine the most efficient ways to trade and transport this vital commodity. Comprehensive, in-depth market analysis makes The Rice Trader a pillar in the global rice industry and is the most profitable investment a person in this trade can make.

Acknowledge and honors development achievements through the prestige of our international awards, The Rice Trader aims to recognize and promote the development of the rice industry in countries that appreciate continuous development by education and research.

Our Values

Published 48 times a year, the Weekly Report is a vital source for market intelligence. We serve our subscribers by delivering an integrated platform of information on rice origins, allied markets, and risk management tools. The Rice Trader combines market data with proprietary research to provide our clients the most comprehensive rice report in the world on a weekly basis.

Daily News Update from The Rice Trader features all of the most recent activities of the global rice industry from various related aspects and beyond.

The Rice Trader World Rice Conference is the world’s leading forum for rice industry professionals, and emphasizes on the global rice trade, with a strong reputation in bringing leaders and rice industry and the various elements that deliver rice, from farm to fork.

Our Team

Team up from rice professionals, along with the companionship of researchers, enthusiastic advisors and reputed traders of the global rice industry who have decades of experience, The Rice Trader aims to deliver an integrated platform of information to the rice trade and allied industries that not only informs, but provides analysis, insight and valuable intelligence that will assist risk management, trade, and decision-making abilities across the rice industry supply chain.

jeremy

Jeremy Zwinger – President & CEO:

“As the world and market transforms, so must we or we will be left behind.”

Jeremy Zwinger is the CEO/President of The Rice Trader, Farm And Trade, Inc., and International Commodity Institute. Mr. Zwinger is the founder of the World Rice Conference, along with several other key projects which help build bridges between a vast number of global entities. He was raised on his family’s farming operation in North Dakota, USA, and is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he also attended graduate school for agriculture economics. Jeremy followed up this graduate school studies by taking on the position of the market analyst for U.S. Wheat in Washington DC, where he was able to get hands on experience in complexities of global trade and U.S. agricultural trade policy. His interests are broad, ranging from commodities markets to the digitalization of global business to the rapidly changing international cultural/geopolitical environment. Development of water distribution systems, ownership of water rights, and large-scale water trading are also key passionate interests. On a personal note, Mr. Zwinger is blessed with five children and an amazing family, whose support has allowed him to be here today.

A regular participant at international events and conferences, Mr. Zwinger has contributed extensively on the analysis of markets by predicting inter-commodity effects (rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, sugar, etc.), as well as currency and oil price led impacts on the rice markets. He is also well known among clients for his direct advisory work and market analysis that has proven to be very close to actual market developments. His 2007 speech forecast rice prices to go past $1,000 per ton levels, the more recent global food oversupply predictions, his prediction of the 2016 Trump presidency more than a year in advance of the U.S. elections, and a split 2020 election, are a just a few key examples that are well regarded.

Additionally, Mr. Zwinger has extensive experience that extends globally in the fields of publishing, brokerage, water trading, advisement, production financing, and consultancy services to a number of internationally respected players, including several Fortune 500 companies. He has consulted for many countries on key strategic interests, with direct access to heads of state and their cabinet members throughout the globe. More recently, he has become heavily involved in globally critical topics such as water rights and value, food security issues, electronic trading, international production financing, global investment strategies with a focus on the commodity fields, market development strategies, and the coming solar cycle, which is likely to lead to major global issues on a multitude of levels. In 2020, he was also made a lifetime member of the Farm Foundation, a prestigious agriculture and trade policy group, which helps make recommendations for the future, while facilitating key leaders into action. Mr. Zwinger has recently taken on the role of a weekly market discussion analyst on Direct TV, talking about the commodity markets and the important topics of the day. The changes brought on by Covid-19 have forced major developments in Mr. Zwinger’s business, where unique software was developed to help allow personalized networking with automated contracts. The goal remains of a more efficient trade mechanism in this new and ever-changing environment.

Mr. Zwinger looks forward to contributing more insights on the future and hopes to make yet another accurate assessment of the direction the market is headed in aid of those in attendance. As we have seen in the past, there are likely to be some interesting insights that come from his engaging and passionate discussions.

Healthy young soybean crop in field at dawn, with stunning sky.

Testimonials About The rice trader

2023 iwrc vikram sadiya agro commodities

Mr. Vikram Sadiya

Director Agrisea Group of Dubai

“For the past eight years, AgriSea has consistently found immense value in its sponsorship and active participation in The Rice Trader’s World Rice Conference. The annual event has proven to be a cornerstone for AgriSea’s growth within the global rice industry, providing a platform to cultivate lasting connections and foster crucial business relationships. The conferences serve as an invaluable opportunity to network with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and ultimately, expand our global reach. AgriSea highly recommends both The Rice Trader Report and the World Rice Conference to anyone seeking to thrive in this dynamic market, as we eagerly anticipate each year’s event.”

Tran Quang Vu

Tran Quang Vu

Strategy & International Markets Ho Quang Tri Private Enterprise

“The World’s Best Rice award, presented at the World Rice Conference, has been instrumental in shaping our journey. Our wins in 2019 and 2023 helped bring Vietnam’s ST25 rice to the forefront of the global market — a recognition that translated into trust, demand, and lasting partnerships. But beyond the accolades, what we value most is TRT’s unwavering emphasis on integrity. In an industry as competitive and diverse as rice, TRT has built a platform that champions fairness, credibility, and genuine excellence. We’re proud to be part of this global community.”

WBR Award

INTERNATIONAL CLIENT

Every year, the buzz of anticipation builds across our office as the calendar flips to the moment we’ll join the world’s premier gathering of rice professionals: The Rice Trader’s International Conference. Being not just a participant but a past winner, we’ve witnessed firsthand how TRT transforms a simple meeting into a powerhouse of industry insight, market intelligence, and genuine connection. The conference shines a spotlight on the global rice landscape, delivering critical data and fresh perspectives that directly fuel our strategy and growth. As proud clients, sponsors, and collaborators with the TRT brokering team, we cherish the partnerships forged on those bustling exhibition floors and look forward to many more years of shared success. Thank you, TRT—here’s to the next chapter of innovation and collaboration! 

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Executive Summary

April 6th, 2026:

Easter is a time of peace and hope, which is a prayer we have for all in this key time of redemption. The U.S. is going back to the moon, which should have been news since we have not seen a push here for 50 years.  So much has changed so quickly in March that it is tough for anyone in the rice market to manage, and risk remains very high.  Oil has run to over $111 per barrel (PB), and this has just added to the wild / cost filled world we are all living in. Of odd interest, many countries are trying to get special deals and work out a way for them to get through or help negotiate the opening of the Strait.  This is giving Iran a second wind, and it is almost ironic that by threat, they are gaining political influence. Making special deals with Iran to make sure your vessels do not have to fear meeting an Iranian missile close up has been one of the key concerns of the day.  I would bet few knew where the Strait of Hormuz was or that it really even existed until last month, but it surely is a topic of all countries now.  We call prices this week FLAT to Mixed at Thai 5% was still quoted at $365 PMT, while Vietnam moved up to $365 PMT as well.  India was the key, with prices slipping down to $335 PMT for 5%, and this caused some level of panic.

As a last note, we strongly suggest a detailed look at our publicly expanded vessel intelligence list in Section 16, which we feel is a real help to our clients in seeing what competitors and customers are doing.

 

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Thought of the week

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Thought of the week: Easter & Hope ….

“The great gift of Easter is hope.”

@ Basil Hume —