WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Area planted for U.S. rice in 2013 is expected to total 2.61 million acres, 88,000 less than 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service's Prospective Plantings report released on March 28.  

Planted acreage is forecast lower for four of the six major rice-producing states, with acreage in Texas remaining the same as last year, while Louisiana farmers are projected to plant 18,000 more acres of rice this year.   
 
The USDA report attributes the expected 3% overall decline in production in rice acreage from 2012 to higher prices of competing commodities.  
 
Long-grain planted acreage, representing 74% of the total rice acreage, is expected to be 61,000 acres less than last year.  Medium-grain acres are projected to be 27,000 less than 2012 and short-grain varieties will remain unchanged.