Rice Seedings Jumped 22% in U.S.
WASHINGTON - Jun 30/14 - SNS -- Area planted to rice in the United States this year is estimated at 3.05 million acres, up 22% from 2013, according to the USDA's seeded area report for 2014.
Area for harvest is forecast at 3.03 million acres, up 23% from last year.
Lower prices for competing commodities is contributing to the increase in rice acres compared with last year. The acres planted to long grain rice in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri account for the increase in both long grain and all rice planted acres.
With California experiencing a severe drought, medium and short grain acres planted are estimated to decline by 11 and 33%, respectively in the State from 2013. The increase in medium grain acres in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas is helping to offset the acreage decline in California.
As of June 15, 99% of the rice crop had emerged, 2 percentage points ahead of last year and three percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.
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