Rice Belt States 2024

Some people might be surprised to hear that the United States actually grows a lot of rice annually. It might not be the exact same rice as the crop grown in Asia, but it is similar. There are different types of rice found all over the world, just as South American rice is very different from Asian rice as well. The states that are responsible for growing rice in the United States are called the rice belt.

What States Are a Part of the Rice Belt?

The rice belt in the United States includes four southern states that are responsible for a significant percentage of the rice crop in the country. They include Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Of note, there is a significant overlap between the states that are responsible for growing rice and the states that are responsible for growing corn. Of these states, Arkansas produces the most rice in the country. Then, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas also produce fair amounts of rice.

What Is the Biggest Rice-Producing State in the United States Outside of the Belt?

Even though most of the rice in the United States is grown in the rice belt, there are states outside of the right belt that grow rice as well. For example, Missouri, which is significantly north of those other states, also grows a significant amount of rice. Missouri also grows plenty of corn, just like many of the other states in question. In addition, California also grows a lot of rice. The climate in California varies significantly from Northern California to Southern California. Therefore, California is able to grow a fair amount of rice as well, with much of the rice being grown in the northern part of the state.

Does the United States Export a Lot of Rice?

Some people might be surprised to hear that the United States actually exports a significant amount of rice as well. When compared to other serials grown in the United States, rice ranks third. Corn and wheat are the most common cereals in the United States, and rice comes in third place. Rice does require a lot of capital to grow, but it is also a profitable crop. Rice requires a lot of effort for proper irrigation. Otherwise, it will not grow well. The United States exports a significant amount of rice every year, and the rice travels all over the world.

At the same time, the United States also keeps a lot of rice at home. There are production centers located across the country, and they can convert rice into a variety of forms that can be used for different types of dishes. Because of the diverse cultures located in the United States, there are plenty of recipes that can be made using rice grown domestically.