The US State That Grows More Rice Than Any Other
NEWS
By ROBYN BLOCKER
While the U.S. isn’t one of the top rice-growing nations, the grain remains a profitable industry. Most U.S. rice is grown in six states, with Arkansas being the top producer.
According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the state cultivates over 40% of the nearly 20 billion pounds of rice produced. This is largely thanks to Arkansas’ environment.
The land, water supply, and climate more than ensures the crop thrives. In 2023, the Farm Bureau reported 1,417,000 harvested rice acres, yielding 7,550 pounds per acre.
The state exports more than 60% of its annual production — over 9 billion pounds — to more than 25 countries and grows over half of all the long-grain rice produced in the U.S.
