Leaders from Riceland Foods and Producers Rice Mill met recently with U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas) to discuss challenges facing Arkansas rice farmers.

The roundtable meeting in Stuttgart addressed rising imports, weak farm economics, escalating production costs and the need for stronger federal support to sustain the domestic rice industry and rural communities that depend on it, according to a press release.

Rich Hillman, Riceland’s chairman of the board of directors, thanked the Republican senator for his work supporting rice farmers and expressed deep concern about current trade policy and how rising imported rice affects Arkansas rice growers.

“The rapid growth of heavily subsidized imported rice in the domestic market is creating an uneven playing field for U.S. rice producers at a time when farmers are already struggling with economic pressures,” said Hillman. “Sen. Boozman has long supported Arkansas rice farmers, and we appreciate Senator Boozman’s commitment to finding solutions that preserve the future of Arkansas rice farming.”

Arkansas is the nation’s leading rice-producing state, producing about half of the rice that comes out of the U.S. Industry leaders warned that prolonged market pressures threaten farms, rice mills, and the rural communities that depend on the industry.

“The rice industry is incredibly important to Arkansas. I was pleased to visit with industry leaders and producers to discuss challenges farmers are facing,” Boozman said. “With the lowest number of rice acres planted in the state since the 1970s, it is critical to the future of the industry that we take action,” Boozman said. “We made good progress last year with significant updates to the farm safety net as a part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, and rice producers in Arkansas will begin to receive those improved benefits soon. It’s vital that we get Farm Bill 2.0 and additional economic assistance across the finish line this year and work to expand markets for Natural State farmers, both here at home and abroad.”

The meeting marked the second discussion this year between the cooperatives and Arkansas’ congressional delegation following an August visit with U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, the Republican representing Arkansas’ First District.

Published Date: November 6, 2026