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…
Testimonials About The rice trader
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
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.”
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!
Executive Summary
May 4thh, 2026:
Many in the global market lament simpler times when the risk was easier to manage. As we head toward the end of the week, the market continues to show great volatility with oil prices running up from $80 per barrel (PB) to near $110 PM this week to just $101 PB today. We call prices this week Higher to Mixed at Thai 5% was quoted at $395 PMT, as India remains the cheapest option at a very attractive $350 PMT for 5%, a push to try to get more than 2 MMT moved each month to try to deal with the massive oversupply that keeps building. Vietnam moved up to the highest of all the major trade to $405 PMT on continued strength under the belief that the Philippines will never stop buying rice. We believe this is one of the biggest mishaps in procurement strategies in recent times, and a market that was vastly depressed on global supplies, is now shifted to think you could see rice prices run $100 PMT. There is a ramping up of the Iranian conflict, many thought was over, and yet, an odd calmness on the same front, with many vessels finding their way through the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippines is a big piece for rice on the week with players baffled by the lack of strategy from the current government, which has given many players in the global community increased psychological strength. We had long predicted that this was a possibility on the odd allocations system, which was being used, but it is amazing how this just played out so poorly for the politicos who planned this out, thinking they knew better than many experts in and outside of the Philippines. The S&D is really predicting much lower prices, but this immense shift in perception is all that matters. The DA of the Philippines is publicly pushing that the Philippines will buy more in a move that is nearly unexplainable. Perhaps other parties will step in to increase the wisdom here, but it is not the Philippines wildness that could overtake the India supply issue to push up a market toward $500 PMT versus the $300 PMT it was headed to. India could supply the Philippines full year needs 4 times over and still have plenty of rice for all of their markets. Cambodia and Vietnam are the real winners here, which is a way is a very positive outcome for the overall rice market, and is likely to push up global production, which was a little questionable on the fertilizer issues affecting many countries and the PR push to say a super El Niño is coming. One cannot overestimate the psychological effects of the market and how they affect the perception of reality.
Thought of the week
Thought of the week: Perspective ….
“Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view.”
— @ Star Wars – Obi-Wan Kenobi —
