9th International Temperate Rice Conference

It is a great pleasure for the Organizing Committee to welcome you to the 9th International Temperate Rice Conference (ITRC) in Punta del Este, Uruguay, to be held from March 1 to 5, 2027, at the Punta del Este Convention & Exhibition Center.

As a long-standing forum for scientific exchange and international cooperation, the ITRC brings together researchers, professionals, producers and stakeholders from around the world to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and advance dialogue across all dimensions of temperate rice research and production.

For Uruguay, hosting this conference is especially meaningful, as our country had the honour of hosting the 3rd International Temperate Rice Conference in 2003, and we are delighted to welcome the international rice community once again.

Uruguay offers a particularly relevant setting for this gathering. Our rice sector is built around production systems in rotation with livestock and other crops, reflecting a model of sustainable intensification and strong resource integration. It is also a system distinguished by the close articulation among research institutions, producers, the rice industry, government and service providers. This is an exceptional case in the global rice market, exporting more than 95% of its production and featuring a price-setting model between producers and the rice industry with a 66-year history.

Beyond its scientific relevance, Uruguay also provides a broader national context of interest. With a population of about 3.39 million people and a GDP per capita of approximately US$24,000 in 2024, the country combines relatively small scale with strong institutional capacity, international openness, and an export-oriented economy. In that context, the rice sector stands as an outstanding example of how innovation, coordination, and production excellence can contribute to national development.

Punta del Este is an ideal venue for the ITRC. Internationally recognized as one of the leading resort destinations in the Americas, it offers a unique combination of natural beauty, hospitality, gastronomy, and first-class infrastructure. Its Convention & Exhibition Center provides an excellent environment not only for scientific discussion, but also for networking, exchange, and collaboration among colleagues from different countries and disciplines.

We hope that this edition of the ITRC will be a valuable opportunity to share advances, discuss challenges, and explore new perspectives for temperate rice systems worldwide. At the same time, we hope you will enjoy the experience of being in Uruguay, a place where science, production, and hospitality come together in an inspiring way.