Grain: World Markets and Trade
Foreign Agricultural Service Circular Series
FG 12-02
December 2002 

U.S. Rice Exports: Record 2003 Forecast

U.S. Rice Exports (Jan/Dec)    Commercial v. Food Aid Exports

With dwindling supplies in Brazil and a poor crop in Australia, the United States is expected to export an unprecedented 3.4 million tons of rice in CY 2003. This record will mainly be achieved via commercial sales and will also increase both long and medium grain global market shares.  

The United States is carrying large stocks of long grain rice and, therefore, is able to supply high quality rice at very competitive prices. Additionally, the United States is one of a handful of countries that allow the export of unmilled rice, a commodity preferred by most Latin American importers. Consequently, given smaller good-quality stocks in Brazil, the United States could well ship 300-500 TMT to this nearby market. The last time the United States exported this level of rice to Brazil was in the aftermath of the 1997/98 El Niño, which devastated rice crops in major importing countries.  

In the medium grain market, the United States will likely gain business in relatively small markets, such as Turkey, Taiwan, and South Korea, due to the Australian drought. With limited exportable supplies, Australia is expected to give top priority to its largest traditional markets, i.e., Papua New Guinea and Japan.

Complete Grain Report in PDF: Text and Tables

All Grain Summary Tables: Foreign Countries and US Data

• Adobe Acrobat Format
• Excel Spreadsheet Format

Situation and Outlook: Commentary and Current Data

• Wheat    [Text only]    [PDF]
• Rice        [Text only]    [PDF]
• Coarse Grains    [Text only]    [PDF]

Historical Data Tables: Selected Regions and Countries

• Adobe Acrobat Format
• Excel Spreadsheet Format

Notice to readers: 
This is the final issue of Grain: World Markets and Trade circular series that will include a printed version of the Historical Data Series for Selected Regions and Countries. Beginning with the January 2003 circular series publication, these historical tables will be available only electronically. The historical tables, along with an electronic version of the Grain: World Markets and Trade circular are available on the FAS home page (http://www.fas.usda.gov). The printed version of the circular will continue to include the Summary Tables and the Situation and Outlook reports.

General Footnotes for Grain Tables

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Data in this report is available in both Adobe Acrobat and Lotus 123 formats. You may need to Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Last modified: Thursday, November 13, 2003