
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its perspective planting report for 2021, and it shows a reduction in rice plantings of about 326,000 acres — or about 11% — nationwide compared to 2020.
Based on surveys that asked growers how many acres they plant to plant, USDA projects about 2.71 million acres of planted rice for 2021. Arkansas, the largest rice-producing state, is expected to decrease long-grain acres by 15% from the previous year.
Much of the decrease is likely due to attractive returns on competing crops, particularly soybeans.
Compared with last year, medium-acres in the Natural State are expected to decline 11% and short-grain acres, down 5%.
California, the largest medium- and short-grain producing state, is expected to decrease medium-grain planted area by 9% and decrease short-grain planted area by 5% in 2021. Much of the decreases can be attributed to reduced water deliveries and water sales to farmers in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Read the complete report on the USDA NASS website.