U.S. Rice Facts

Industry Facts

• The U.S. rice industry produces 20 billion pounds of rice annually. 
• There are 5,563 rice farmers throughout the country that grow rice across a collective 2.8 million acres. 
• Most of the farming is done by family farms across six major rice-producing states of Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. 
• On average, each rice farm contributes $1 million to their local economy. 
• The U.S. rice industry contributes more than $34 billion to the U.S. economy annually and provides jobs for more than 125,000 people in the U.S.
• The U.S. is the 5th largest rice exporter in the world and the largest rice exporter outside of Asia.
• Each year the U.S. rice industry distributes 40 million pounds of rice to combat food insecurity. 

U.S.-Grown Rice Facts

• 95 percent of all sushi eaten in the U.S. is made with U.S.-grown rice.
• 80 percent of all the rice consumed in the U.S. is grown in the U.S. 
• The average American consumes 27 pounds of rice a year. 
• U.S.-grown rice is naturally gluten-free and the least allergenic of all the grains. 
• All U.S.-grown rice is sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and GMO-free. 
• A serving of U.S.-grown rice delivers over 15 vitamins and minerals. 
• National Rice Month (September) was officially designated by a presidential proclamation in 1991.