Overview

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

Rice cultivation originated in China over 4,000 years ago and remains an important agricultural commodity in many Asian diets. In addition, its low cost and the high caloric value make rice (Oryza sativa) a staple commodity for many poor and developing countries. Production occurs in over 50 countries throughout the world, although Asian countries produce well over two-thirds of the world crop, which totaled 443.7 million metric tons in 2008.

U.S. production accounts for less than 2 percent of the world total; however, the United States is an important exporter due to the relatively small percentage of rice traded globally. In recent years, about half of U.S. production has been exported.  May 2009 ... Rice

Marketing

• California Rice Commission
• CalRiceGrowers.com - This California-based Web site is designed to enhance the local and worldwide marketability of paddy rice.
• China Agricultural Data, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2001 - Information on production, cost of production and trade.
• International Rice Research Institute
• Grain: World Markets and Trade, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA.
• Rice, ERS, USDA.
  
• Rice Backgrounder, ERS, USDA, 2006.
• Rice Online - The Internet homepage for all rice information.
• Rice Project, University of California Cooperative Extension.
• Rice Publications, University of Arkansas.
• Rice Yearbook, ERS, USDA.
  
• USA Rice Federation
• U.S. Rice Producers Association
• U.S. Trade Internet System, FASonline, USDA.
   

Production

• Crop Production Annual Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.
• Crop Values Annual Summary, NASS, USDA.
• Cultivated Wild Rice Production in California, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Daniel Marcum, 2007, $15 - This publication contains key information for growers on every aspect of cultivated wild rice production from varieties, basin construction and planting to harvesting, processing and marketing. 
• Rice, Louisiana State University.
• Missouri Rice Page, University of Missouri.
• Crops: Rice, Mississippi State University. 
• Rice Production Best Management Practices, Louisiana State University.

Businesses/Case Studies

• Lowell Farms, El Campo, Texas - The Raun family has raised rice along the Texas Gulf Coast for more than 80 years. The farm markets its grain through retail stores and online using the Lowell Farms brand.
• Lundberg Family Farms, Richvale, California - This family-owned and -operated rice farm is located in the Sacramento Valley. The farm raises brown and specialty rice varieties using organic and sustainable growing practices called Nutra-Farmed. The farm also markets a line of brown rice products.
  
• Rice, The New American Farmer, SARE, USDA - Describes a rice operation in California.
• Riceland Foods, Stuttgart, Arkansas - This farmer-owned cooperative provides marketing services for rice, soybeans and wheat. Created in 1921, the cooperative has become the world’s largest miller and marketer of rice.

Links checked May 2009.