USDA: Rice tops list of Arkansas commodity exports
Arkansas ranked No. 1 in the nation in rice exports, according to the State Agricultural Trade database released this week by the U.S. Agriculture Department
Media contact: Mary Hightower mhightower@uada.edu 501-671-2006
July 1, 2021
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- Arkansas No. 1 in U.S. rice exports
- Ranks No. 5 in cotton, No. 11 in soybeans
(340 words)
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JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas ranked No. 1 in the nation in rice exports, according to the State Agricultural Trade database released this week by the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The $722 million contribution by rice was part of the state’s total of $3.1 billion in agricultural exports, the report said.
Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said that of the $3.1 billion 78 percent, or $2.4 billion, was attributed to plant products.
The report covers the 2019 calendar year.
“In terms of dollar value, Arkansas ranks first in the U.S. in rice exports, fifth in cotton and 11th in soybeans,” he said.
According to the report, here are the commodities ranked by their respective contribution to the total export value:
- Rice — $722 million
- Soybeans — $679.3 million
- Cotton — $427.3 million
- Other feed grains: barley, oats, sorghum — $73.2 million
- Corn — $71.4 million.
Stiles said that “when grain prices were at record highs, the value of our crop exports alone was $3.2 billion back in 2012 and 2013. As commodity prices declined, we saw the dollar value of the state's crop exports steadily drop from 2014 to 2016.”
The trade war with China pulled the rug out from under those values.
“That pulled the value of crop exports down to $2.4 billion in 2018 and 2019,” Stiles said.
“As we look at the trends in export values, we have to think about the stories and events going on with our key trade partners,” he said. “China has long been the top export market for our soybeans and cotton. This year they are the top export market for our corn and other feed grains.”
Stiles said that although a state’s actual agricultural export value cannot be measured directly, USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates state exports of total and selected commodities based on U.S. farm cash receipts data. The Economic Research Service compiles data collected by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Stiles said the next update will be in October.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
501-671-2006
mhightower@uada.edu