Released June 30, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Rice: Area planted to rice in 2011 is estimated at 2.68 million acres, down 26 percent from 2010 and the lowest planted acreage since 1987. Area for harvest is forecasted at 2.65 million acres, down 27 percent from last year.
In all States except California, severe drought conditions, excessive flooding, and higher prices for competing commodities contributed to the decline in rice acres compared to last year. Area planted to rice in Arkansas, the largest rice-producing State, is at the lowest level since 1989. In California, water was in good supply, which allowed growers to plant 3 percent more rice than in 2010.
As of June 19, ninety-seven percent of the rice crop had emerged, on par with the previous year and the 5-year average. Growers in Louisiana and Texas were dealing with salt water intrusion due to the dry conditions. By month's end, 61 percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, compared with 74 percent the same time last year.
Rice Area Planted and Harvested by Class - States and United States:
2010 and 2011
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Class and State: Area planted : Area harvested
:---------------------------------------------------------------
: 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 1/
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: 1,000 acres
:
Long grain :
Arkansas .......: 1,595 970 1,590 960
California .....: 6 5 6 5
Louisiana ......: 500 390 495 385
Mississippi ....: 305 185 303 184
Missouri .......: 250 140 248 136
Texas ..........: 185 175 184 173
:
United States ..: 2,841 1,865 2,826 1,843
:
Medium grain :
Arkansas .......: 195 200 194 199
California .....: 510 530 505 527
Louisiana ......: 40 30 40 30
Missouri .......: 3 5 3 4
Texas ..........: 4 5 4 5
:
United States ..: 752 770 746 765
:
Short grain 2/ :
Arkansas .......: 1 1 1 1
California .....: 42 40 42 40
:
United States ..: 43 41 43 41
:
All :
Arkansas .......: 1,791 1,171 1,785 1,160
California .....: 558 575 553 572
Louisiana ......: 540 420 535 415
Mississippi ....: 305 185 303 184
Missouri .......: 253 145 251 140
Texas ..........: 189 180 188 178
:
United States ..: 3,636 2,676 3,615 2,649
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1/ Forecasted.
2/ Includes sweet rice.