U.S. Rice Planted Acres in 07 Seen Up 2% Vs 06

Rice planted acreage in the U.S. for 2007 is projected at 2.90 million acres, up 2% from last year, but more than 13% below plantings in 2004/05 and 2005/06, said the U.S. Department Agriculture Friday, in conjunction with the annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Assuming a normal harvested-to-planted ratio, harvested rice area in the U.S. is projected to increase 2% to 2.88 million acres in 2007. Using acreage-weighted trend yields by state, the 2007/08 average yield is forecast at a record 7,007 pounds per acre, up 2% from a year earlier.

U.S. production is projected to increase 4% to 202.0 million hundred-weight, still 13% below the 2004/05 record.

Despite a larger rice crop, total U.S. supplies are projected to decline 1% to 251.9 million hundredweight--the smallest since 2003/04.