The demand for aromatic rices has dramatically increased over the past two decades in the U.S. The three major types of aromatic rice, in the order of importance, are Jasmine, Basmati, and Della types. Most of the aromatic Jasmine and elongating Basmati rice in the U.S. market is imported from other countries and the volume of such imports is increasing every year. Imported aromatic rice makes up 12% of domestic food rice consumption. At present, only the Della-type and very limited quantities of the Jasmine- and Basmati-type aromatic rices are being grown in southern rice growing states. There are few adapted varieties available in the United States. However, specialty characteristics, such as aroma, flavor, and appearance, of these domestically produced Jasmine and Basmati rices do not match those of imported rice. Development of improved special purpose rice varieties adapted to the southern U.S. environment with competitive grain and milling yield, superior specialty characteristics that match those of imported rice, and pest resistance will help the U.S. rice industry to obtain a sizable portion of this fast growing, high value aromatic rice market, both domestically and internationally.