U.S. Rice Production Soars: Highest Harvested Area in Decades

Crop (USA)
2024.07.23

Abstract

In recent years, the harvested area for rice in the United States has demonstrated notable fluctuations influenced by various factors. Historically, U.S. rice production has centered in regions like Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. While the overall trend showed a gradual decline in acreage during the 2000s due to shifts toward more profitable crops, the latest data for 2023 indicates a significant increase to 2.85 million acres, marking the highest recorded level. This resurgence can be attributed to rising global demand for rice, improved farming practices, and favorable weather conditions. Additionally, changes in consumer preferences and sustainability initiatives have spurred investment in rice cultivation, enhancing the sector’s resilience and productivity.

All classes

The United States rice industry has evolved significantly since 1895, with various classes including long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain varieties. The peak harvested area reached 3.79 million acres in 1981, driven by high domestic demand and favorable market conditions. Since then, total acreage has fluctuated, influenced by competition from other crops and changing agricultural practices. Currently, the harvested area stands at 75.2% of its peak, reflecting a renewed interest in rice cultivation due to increased global demand and innovations in farming techniques. Long-grain rice remains the most widely produced variety, primarily in the South, while California’s medium-grain rice has also gained popularity, highlighting regional specialties and consumer preferences.

All classes
agri

The maximum is 3.79M ACRES[1981] of US TOTAL, and the current value is about 75.2%

All classes (each state)

In 2023, the U.S. rice industry showcased its significant regional diversity, with Arkansas leading production at 1.42 million acres. The average harvested area across the country was 473,000 acres, contributing to a total of 2.84 million acres. This represents a robust recovery compared to previous years, driven by rising demand for rice both domestically and globally. Arkansas’s prominence is attributed to its ideal growing conditions and extensive irrigation systems. The trend reflects a broader shift towards sustainable practices and crop diversification, as farmers adopt improved varieties and technologies. Overall, U.S. rice production continues to adapt to market needs, emphasizing both quality and yield.

All classes (each state)
agri

The maximum is 1.42M ACRES of ARKANSAS, the average is 473k ACRES, and the total is 2.84M ACRES

All Classes (latest year, each state)

In 2023, the U.S. rice industry remains vibrant, with Arkansas leading production at 1.42 million acres, showcasing its dominance in the rice market. This state’s favorable climate and advanced irrigation practices contribute to its high yields. Overall, U.S. rice acreage reflects a resurgence, bolstered by rising global demand and consumer preferences for rice varieties. Long-grain rice is the most produced type, particularly favored in southern regions. The industry has also seen innovations in sustainable farming practices, helping to enhance productivity while addressing environmental concerns. As farmers adapt to changing market dynamics, the rice sector continues to evolve, emphasizing both quality and efficiency.

All Classes (latest year, each state)
agri

The maximum is 1.42M ACRES of ARKANSAS, the average is 473k ACRES, and the total is 2.84M ACRES

Main data

RICE(ALL CLASSES, ALL PRODUCTION PRACTICES, ALL UTILIZATION PRACTICES, AREA HARVESTED, UNITED STATES) [M ACRES]
US TOTAL ARKANSAS CALIFORNIA LOUISIANA ARKANSAS(ARKANSAS OTHER COUNTIES) MISSOURI MISSOURI(MISSOURI OTHER COUNTIES) CALIFORNIA(CALIFORNIA OTHER COUNTIES) TEXAS CALIFORNIA(CALIFORNIA SACRAMENTO VALLEY COLUSA)
2023 2.85 1.42 0.51 0.46 0.4 0.2 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.13
2022 2.17 1.13 0.26 0.42 0.12 0.15 0.04 0.07 0.19 0.02
2021 2.5 1.2 0.41 0.41 0.38 0.19 0.04 0.02 0.18 0.1
2020 2.98 1.43 0.51 0.47 0.05 0.21 0.03 0.06 0.18 0.13
2019 2.48 1.13 0.49 0.41 0.17 0.15 0.13
2018 2.8 1.42 0.5 0.43 0.19 0.2 0.14
2017 2.48 1.1 0.46 0.4 0.16 0.18 0.13
2016 3.13 1.58 0.56 0.47 0.21 0.18 0.15
2015 2.58 1.3 0.41 0.44 0.17 0.14 0.11
2014 3.03 1.57 0.49 0.45 0.21 0.15 0.12
2013 2.46 1.07 0.56 0.41 0.15 0.14 0.16
2012 2.64 1.28 0.56 0.4 0.17 0.13 0.16
2011 2.62 1.15 0.58 0.42 0.13 0.18 0.15
2010 3.62 1.79 0.55 0.54 0.25 0.19 0.15
2009 3.1 1.47 0.56 0.46 0.2 0.17 0.15
2008 2.98 1.4 0.52 0.46 0.2 0.17 0.15
2007 2.76 1.33 0.53 0.38 0.18 0.15 0.15
2006 2.82 1.4 0.52 0.35 0.21 0.15 0.15
2005 3.36 1.64 0.53 0.53 0.21 0.2 0.15
2004 3.33 1.56 0.59 0.53 0.2 0.22 0.16
2003 3 1.46 0.51 0.45 0.17 0.18 0.14
2002 3.21 1.5 0.53 0.54 0.18 0.21 0.14
2001 3.31 1.62 0.47 0.55 0.21 0.22 0.13
2000 3.04 1.41 0.55 0.48 0.17 0.21 0.14
1999 3.51 1.63 0.51 0.62 0.18 0.26 0.13
1998 3.26 1.49 0.46 0.62 0.14 0.28 0.12
1997 3.1 1.4 0.52 0.58 0.12 0.29 0.13
1996 2.8 1.17 0.5 0.53 0.1 0.3 0.14
1995 3.09 1.34 0.47 0.57 0.11 0.32 0.12
1994 3.32 1.42 0.49 0.62 0.12 0.35 0.12
1993 2.83 1.23 0.44 0.53 0.09 0.3 0.11
1992 3.13 1.38 0.39 0.62 0.11 0.35 0.09
1991 2.78 1.26 0.36 0.51 0.09 0.34 0.08
1990 2.82 1.2 0.4 0.55 0.08 0.35 0.09
1989 2.69 1.14 0.41 0.49 0.08 0.34 0.1
1988 2.9 1.21 0.43 0.54 0.08 0.39 0.11
1987 2.33 1.01 0.37 0.42 0.07 0.27 0.09
1986 2.36 1.02 0.36 0.43 0.07 0.29 0.09
1985 2.49 1.05 0.39 0.46 0.07 0.33 0.1
1984 2.8 1.15 0.45 0.53 0.08 0.41 0.11
1983 2.17 0.92 0.33 0.39 0.06 0.32 0.08
1982 3.26 1.33 0.54 0.6 0.08 0.47 0.12
1981 3.79 1.54 0.59 0.67 0.08 0.58 0.14
1980 3.31 1.28 0.57 0.59 0.06 0.59 0.14
1979 2.87 1.02 0.52 0.53 0.04 0.56 0.13
1978 2.97 1.09 0.49 0.59 0.03 0.56 0.12
1977 2.25 0.84 0.31 0.48 0.02 0.5 0.09
1976 2.48 0.85 0.4 0.57 0.01 0.51 0.11
1975 2.82 0.9 0.53 0.66 0.02 0.55 0.13
1974 2.53 0.71 0.48 0.66 0.01 0.56 0.12
1973 2.17 0.53 0.4 0.62 0.01 0.55 0.1
1972 1.82 0.44 0.33 0.52 0 0.47 0.08
1971 1.82 0.44 0.33 0.52 0 0.47 0.08
1970 1.81 0.44 0.33 0.52 0 0.47 0.08
1969 2.13 0.52 0.39 0.61 0.01 0.55 0.1
1968 2.35 0.57 0.43 0.68 0.01 0.6 0.11
1967 1.97 0.48 0.36 0.57 0.01 0.51 0.09
1966 1.97 0.48 0.36 0.57 0.01 0.51 0.09
1965 1.79 0.43 0.33 0.52 0 0.46 0.08
1964 1.79 0.43 0.33 0.51 0 0.46 0.08
1963 1.77 0.43 0.32 0.51 0 0.46 0.08
1962 1.77 0.43 0.32 0.51 0 0.46 0.07
1961 1.59 0.38 0.29 0.46 0 0.41 0.06
1960 1.59 0.38 0.29 0.46 0 0.42 0.06
1959 1.59 0.38 0.29 0.45 0 0.42 0.06
1958 1.41 0.34 0.25 0.41 0 0.38 0.05
1957 1.34 0.33 0.23 0.4 0 0.35 0.05
1956 1.57 0.38 0.29 0.45 0 0.4 0.06
1955 1.83 0.43 0.33 0.53 0.01 0.48 0.06
1954 2.55 0.67 0.48 0.68 0.01 0.64 0.09
1953 2.16 0.49 0.43 0.61 0 0.57 0.09
1952 2 0.47 0.34 0.6 0 0.55
1951 2 0.46 0.32 0.62 0 0.57
1950 1.64 0.35 0.24 0.56 0 0.48
1949 1.86 0.41 0.31 0.59 0 0.54
1948 1.8 0.39 0.26 0.63 0.53
1947 1.71 0.37 0.26 0.61 0.47
1946 1.58 0.32 0.26 0.59 0.41
1945 1.5 0.28 0.24 0.58 0.4
1944 1.48 0.29 0.24 0.56 0.39
1943 1.47 0.26 0.22 0.6 0.39
1942 1.46 0.27 0.21 0.62 0.37
1941 1.21 0.21 0.15 0.54 0.31
1940 1.07 0.19 0.12 0.47 0.29
1939 1.05 0.17 0.12 0.49 0.27
1938 1.08 0.19 0.13 0.49 0.27
1937 1.1 0.19 0.13 0.52 0.26
1936 0.98 0.16 0.14 0.48 0.2
1935 0.82 0.14 0.1 0.41 0.17
1934 0.81 0.14 0.11 0.42 0.15
1933 0.8 0.15 0.11 0.4 0.15
1932 0.87 0.16 0.11 0.42 0.19
1931 0.97 0.18 0.13 0.46 0.21
1930 0.97 0.17 0.11 0.49 0.19
1929 0.86 0.16 0.1 0.47 0.14
1928 0.97 0.17 0.13 0.5 0.01 0.16
1927 1.03 0.18 0.16 0.52 0 0.17
1926 1.02 0.2 0.15 0.49 0.01 0.17
1925 0.85 0.18 0.1 0.41 0 0.16
1924 0.84 0.17 0.09 0.43 0 0.15
1923 0.87 0.14 0.11 0.47 0.15
1922 1.05 0.16 0.14 0.56 0.2
1921 0.99 0.14 0.14 0.55 0.17
1920 1.3 0.18 0.16 0.68 0.28
1919 1.08 0.16 0.16 0.54 0.21
1918 1.1 0.17 0.12 0.57 0.23
1917 0.95 0.15 0.09 0.49 0.22
1916 0.84 0.13 0.06 0.44 0.21
1915 0.74 0.1 0.03 0.39 0.21
1914 0.65 0.09 0.02 0.32 0.2
1913 0.72 0.11 0.01 0.35 0.25
1912 0.64 0.09 0 0.32 0.22
1911 0.64 0.07 0.35 0.2
1910 0.67 0.06 0.36 0.22
1909 0.66 0.03 0.37 0.24
1908 0.6 0.01 0.33 0.22
1907 0.56 0.01 0.3 0.23
1906 0.51 0 0.27 0.19
1905 0.46 0 0.25 0.17
1904 0.57 0.3 0.2
1903 0.55 0.32 0.15
1902 0.55 0.31 0.14
1901 0.42 0.25 0.08
1900 0.36 0.22 0.03
1899 0.34 0.2 0.01
1898 0.31 0.18 0.01
1897 0.29 0.17 0.01
1896 0.27 0.15 0.01
1895 0.29 0.17 0.01

Reference

U.S. Department of Agriculture – Large Datasets (qs.crops_20240504.txt.gz)

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