STAT Communications Ag Market News

U.S. Rice Crop Jumps 27%

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/16 - SNS -- Rice production in the United States is forecast at 244 million cwt (100 pound units), up 27% from last year, according to the USDA's latest estimate for the crop.

Area for harvest is expected to total 3.2 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast but up 24% from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, the average United States yield is forecast at 7,659 pounds per acre, up 189 pounds from last year.

If realized, United States rice production will be a record high. Production is expected to be a record high in Arkansas, the largest rice-producing State, and Louisiana. Expected yields are increasing from last year in all States except California and Missouri. If realized, a record high yield is expected in Texas.

Rice Area Harvested, Yield, and Production - States and United States: 2015 and
Forecasted August 1, 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :   Area harvested    :   Yield per acre    :    Production 1/
     State    :-----------------------------------------------------------------
              :   2015   :   2016   :   2015   :   2016   :   2015   :   2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :     1,000 acres        ---- pounds ----     ---- 1,000 cwt ---
              :
Arkansas .....:  1,286      1,575      7,340      7,500      94,341    118,125
California ...:    421        559      8,890      8,800      37,441     49,192
Louisiana ....:    415        465      6,940      7,100      28,791     33,015
Mississippi ..:    149        199      7,110      7,300      10,594     14,527
Missouri .....:    174        214      7,020      6,700      12,212     14,338
Texas ........:    130        178      6,900      8,500       8,964     15,130
              :
United States :  2,575      3,190      7,470      7,659     192,343    244,327
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes sweet rice production.
Rice Production by Class - United States: 2015 and Forecasted August 1, 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            :                :                :                :
    Year    :   Long grain   :  Medium grain  : Short grain 1/ :      All
            :                :                :                :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            :                             1,000 cwt
            :
2015 .......:    133,032           56,677           2,634           192,343
2016 2/ ....:    182,709           58,410           3,208           244,327
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Sweet rice production included with short grain.
2/ The 2016 rice production by class forecasts are based on class harvested
   acreage estimates and the 5-year average class yield compared to the all rice
   yield.

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