Fact Check: The United States is one of the world's largest rice producers.

Fact Check: "The United States is one of the world's largest rice producers."

What We Know

The claim that "The United States is one of the world's largest rice producers" is misleading. According to the US International Trade Commission, the United States contributes only 1% of global rice production. In terms of exports, the U.S. accounts for approximately 5% of global rice exports. This places the U.S. far behind major rice-producing countries such as India and China, which dominate the market with significant shares of production and export (India alone produces about 150 million metric tons of rice annually) (USDA ERS).

The global rice production for 2025 is projected to be around 541.6 million metric tons, with the U.S. production forecasted at 219.3 million hundredweight (approximately 99.4 million metric tons) (USDA ERS). This further emphasizes that while the U.S. does produce rice, it does not rank among the largest producers globally.

Analysis

The evidence clearly indicates that the United States is not one of the largest rice producers in the world. Major producers like India and China produce significantly more rice, with India leading at 150 million metric tons and China following closely. The U.S. ranks much lower in comparison, producing only about 99.4 million metric tons, which is less than 20% of India's output (Rice Explorer).

Moreover, the U.S. rice industry is characterized by a small share of the global market, both in production and exports. The USITC report highlights that the U.S. rice industry faces stiff competition from other countries, which have larger production capacities and export volumes. The reliability of these sources is high, as they are produced by reputable organizations like the USDA and USITC, which are known for their comprehensive agricultural analyses.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the United States is one of the world's largest rice producers is inaccurate. The U.S. only accounts for about 1% of global rice production, significantly trailing behind leading countries such as India and China. The data from credible sources confirm that while the U.S. does produce rice, it does not rank among the top producers globally.

Sources

1. PDF Rice Outlook: May 2025 - USDA ERS
2. Rice Explorer
3. USITC Releases Report on U.S. Rice Industry and Global Competitiveness
4. PDF United States Agriculture World Agricultural Production
5. Rice Outlook: June 2025
6. Rice - Market Outlook | Economic Research Service - USDA
7. PDF Rice Outlook: November 2024
8. Rice Sector at a Glance | Economic Research Service