WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — USDA projects U.S. rice harvested acreage at 2.057 million acres for 2026/27, the lowest level since 1972/73, as southern producers sharply reduce long-grain acreage.
The Economic Research Service says all-rice production is forecast at 157.7 million hundredweight, the lowest since 1993/94. USDA lowered the crop by 400,000 hundredweight from September after reducing the national yield estimate to 7,668 pounds per acre.
Long-grain production is projected at its lowest level since 1987/88. Arkansas harvested long-grain acreage is forecast at 775,000 acres, the smallest since 1977/78, while Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and Louisiana also have historically low acreage.
Tighter supplies are supporting prices. USDA raised the all-rice season-average farm price 30 cents to $15.20 per hundredweight, 23% above last year. Long-grain rice increased 50 cents to $14.00.
USDA expects record rice imports of 49.8 million hundredweight as lower domestic production reduces available supplies. Ending stocks are forecast at 40 million hundredweight, down 32% from last year.
