By John Perkins

U.S. rice planted area fell to a multi-decade low in 2026, while cotton acres were higher.

The USDA has planted area for all types of rice at 2.017 million acres, a 28% drop on the year, and the lowest since 1972, with weather issues and slow demand having an impact.

Rough rice stocks on June 1^st were up 7% from a year ago at 74.8 million hundredweight, while milled rice stocks fell 3% to 5.93 million hundredweight.

Planted area for upland cotton rose 6% on the year to 9.7 million acres, also in response to demand expectations.

The USDA’s updated supply, demand, and production numbers are out July 10^th.

Arkansas: Cotton: 470,000 acres, compared to 520,000 in 2025; Rice: 851,000 acres, compared to 1.284 million in 2025

Kansas: Cotton: 120,000 acres, compared to 102,000 in 2025

Missouri: Cotton: 330,000 acres, compared to 355,000 in 2025; Rice: 153,000 acres, compared to 213,000 in 2025

Tennessee: Cotton: 260,000 acres, compared to 205,000 in 2025

Published Date: July 1, 2026