The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2010 Crop Production Annual Summary showing that U.S. rice production in 2010 is estimated at a record-high 243 million cwt, 1 percent more than the previous forecast and 11 percent above 2009. Planted area is estimated at 3.64 million acres, up 16 percent from the previous year.

The area harvested (3.62 million acres) is down slightly from the previous forecast, but is 17 percent higher than the 2009 crop year. The average yield for all U.S. rice is estimated at 6,725 pounds per acre, up 56 pounds from the previous forecast, but down 360 pounds from the 2009 yield.

The full report is available on the USDA NASS Web site.