According to the latest report released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the USDA, rough rice stocks in the United States have experienced a notable increase, rising 34 percent compared to the previous year. As of August 1, 2024, total rough rice stocks reached 32.4 million hundredweight (cwt), a substantial climb from the 24.2 million cwt recorded on August 1, 2023.
The breakdown of these stocks shows a relatively even distribution among rice varieties with long grain and medium grain varieties each constituting 49 percent of total stocks, and short grain varieties making up a minor 2 percent. Notably, farm-held stocks amounted to 1.80 million cwt, while off-farm stocks took the lion’s share at 30.6 million cwt.
Additionally, milled rice stocks also saw an increase, totaling 4.84 million cwt, which represents a 15 percent rise from the previous year. Of these, 3.71 million cwt were whole kernel rice, with the remaining 1.13 million cwt consisting of second heads, screenings, and brewers rice.
This substantial growth in rice stocks highlights significant shifts within the agricultural sector, potentially pointing towards increased production efficiency or changes in domestic consumption and export dynamics. The data underscores the critical role of rice as a staple in the American agricultural landscape, providing valuable insights for farmers, traders, and policy makers navigating the complex global food markets.
