Mississippi State University: http://www.dafvm.msstate.edu/factbook.pdf
- Mississippi is #5 in the U.S. in terms of states that grow the most rice
- 10,800,000 hundredweight of rice was produced in 2015
- There are 259 rice-producing farms in Mississippi
- $132 million value of rice production in 2015
- Top producing county is Bolivar County
Mississippi 5 Year Averages:
Information below was gathered using reports provided by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Specifically, the Agricultural Prices Reports averaging acreage and prices from 2010-2015.
- Mississippi rice farmers plant an average of 180,700+ acres of rice each year (5 year average)
- The sale of Mississippi rice generates an average revenue of $184 million+ (5 year average)
Other Mississippi Rice Facts:
- Rice production is concentrated in the northeast area of the Mississippi
- Mississippi rice counties: Bolivar, Coahoma, Desoto, Humphreys, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, and Washington (12 out of 82 counties or 15% of the state)
- Rice ranks among the state’s top agricultural exports
- Mississippi’s rice crop is harvested in August and September
General U.S. Rice Facts:
- Rice farmers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, Missouri, and Texas grow 18 billion pounds of rice each year.
- And nearly 81 percent of the rice Americans eat is grown by America’s rice farmers which means it’s sustainable, healthy, and affordable – not to mention delicious and convenient! Now that’s reason celebrate!
- Over a 20 year period, rice farmers nationwide have achieved a:
- 21% decrease in land use
- 32% reduction in water use
- 34% decrease in soil loss
- 52% reduction in energy use
- 29% reduction in soil methane production
For information about different varieties of rice, go to http://www.thinkrice.com/at-home/rice-varieties/.