Nagging domestic and global growth, raises food security concerns, which, in turn, tends to raise protectionist barriers;

Lagging fiscal, trade and regulatory policy response, causes deflationary forces to regain lost momentum and place downward pressure on many commodity markets.

Bidirectional domestic and global monetary policy verbal guidance, creates confusion among market participants and enhances market risk.

Domestic and global rice and grain fundamentals; related to 2017 acreage, yield, production and quality.

Currency dynamics; hedging against currency risks becoming increasing challenge.

Intensifying global geopolitical uncertainties – means global exporters, especially rice exporters, find themselves facing a historically, post-World War II, unpredictable global business environment, due to economic, social, and political change.

World rice acreage at 161.8 million hectares is the highest on record

World rice yield at 4.4 metric tons per hectare is consistent with previous 4 periods

World rice rough production at 717.4 million metric tons is the 2nd highest on record

World rice milled production at 481 million metric tons is the 2nd highest on record

World trade at 42.3 million metric tons is 3rd highest on record and in-part reflects global uncertainties

World rice total use at 479.1 million metric tons is the highest on record

World rice ending stocks at 120.5 million metric tons is the highest since 2001/02

2017/18 world rice production (481.3 million tons) is forecasts to exceed 2017/18 total use (480.1 million tons) by 1.2 million tons

The 2017/18 long grain rice season-average farm price range is $10.50 - $11.50 per cwt or $4.73 - $5.18 per bus

2017 long grain rice planted acres estimated at 1,909,000 acres 22% below 2016

2017/18 long grain rice beginning stocks at 27.7 million cwt.

2017/18 long grain rice production is estimated at 142 million cwt.

2017/18 long grain rice total supply is estimated at 190.7 million cwt.

2017/18 long grain rice domestic and residual use is estimated at 95 million cwt,

2017/18 long grain rice total exports is estimated at 77 million cwt,

2017/18 long grain rice total use is estimated at 172 million cwt.

2017/18 long grain rice ending stocks are estimated at 18.7 million cwt.

2017 Arkansas long grain rice planted acres estimated at 1,050,000 acres 25.5% below 2016, five year average 1,150,000, 10 year average 1,202,000, 15 year average 1,250,000 acres

2017 California long grain rice planted acres estimated at 9,000 acres the same as 2016, 5 year average 7,000, 10 year average 6,800, 15 year average 7,067 acres

2017 Louisiana long grain rice planted acres estimated at 375,000 acres 9.2% below 2016, 5 year average 387,000, 10 year average 405,500, 15 year average 415,467 acres

2017 Mississippi long grain rice planted acres estimated at 375,000 acres 9.2% below 2016, 5 year average 156,000, 10 year average 185,000, 15 year average 197,667 acres

2017 Missouri long grain rice planted acres estimated at 200,000 acres 13% below 2016, 5 year average 194,400, 10 year average 193,200, 15 year average 197,667 acres

2017 Texas long grain rice planted acres estimated at 155,000 acres 16.2% below 2016, 5 year average 150,000, 10 year average 158100, 15 year average 165,000 acres

2017 United States long grain rice planted acres estimated at 1,909,000 acres 21% below 2016, 5 year average 2,044,400, 10 year average 2,150,600, 15 year average 2,229,267 acres