Readings
Related Amber Waves Articles
Market Analysis
For information on current and previous baseline projections for
rice, see the market outlook chapter.
Consolidation and
Structural Change in the U.S. Rice Sector examines how the
structure of the U.S. rice industry has evolved over the past two
decades. The authors analyze the economic factors driving these
structural changes and explore the implications of those changes
for market efficiency and competitiveness of the U.S. rice
industry.
Factors Behind
the Rise in Global Rice Prices in 2008 (May 2009) examines
factors underlying the high prices seen during November 2007 to
April 2008. The price increase did not result from crop failure or
a particularly tight global rice supply situation. Instead, trade
restrictions by major suppliers, panic-buying by several large
importers, a weak U.S. dollar, and record oil prices were the
immediate cause of the rise in rice prices.
Rice Yearbook (Rice Year in Review)
provides in-depth information and analysis of U.S. and
international rice markets for the previous market year. The
domestic section focuses on U.S. production, export markets, and
prices. The global section looks at major producers, consumers,
importers, and exporters and describes factors driving
international trade.
Agricultural Commodity Price Spikes in the 1970s
and 1990s: Valuable Lessons for Today (March 2008) examines the
recent runup in commodity prices in light of similar occurrences in
1971-74 and 1994-96. Although similar to those earlier price
runups, rising demand for grains and oilseeds for biofuels adds a
new dimension of complexity.
Fluctuating Food Commodity Prices: A Complex Issue
With No Easy Answers (November 2008) explores the many factors
that contributed to the rapid escalation of food commodity prices
through mid-2008. For the full report, see Global Agricultural
Supply and Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in
Food Commodity Prices (July 2008).
Characteristics and Production Costs of U.S. Rice
Farms (March 2004) reports that regional differences in
production practices, farm characteristics, and growing conditions
were major influences on production costs incurred by U.S. rice
producers in 2000. Three-quarters of rice production was
concentrated on large and very large farms, categories that
included nearly two-thirds of all rice farms.
Developing Supply and Utilization Tables for the
U.S. Rice Market
(November 2000) explains how USDA
prepares monthly supply and use tables for the U.S. rice sector. It
describes data sources, start-of-year forecasts, and year-end
estimates.
Characteristics of U.S. Rice Farming
(November 2000) uses census data to
describe the structure of rice farming in the United States.
Trade
Indian Wheat and Rice
Sector Policies and the Implications of Reform (May 2007)
suggests that future developments in India's food grain sector will
be shaped by how policies adapt to the sector's new economic
environment. Some changes, such as reducing price supports and the
scope of government food grain operations, would likely cut
government costs, benefit consumers, allow a larger private-sector
role in the domestic market, and increase reliance on trade.
Commercialization of Food Consumption in Rural
China (July 2005) finds that rural households rely on
self-produced commodities, especially grains and vegetables, for a
large share of the food they consume. However, as incomes rise and
markets develop, rural households purchase more of their food from
markets.
China's New Farm Subsidies (February 2005)
describes new policies that China implemented in 2004 and assesses
their impact on Chinese rural income and grain production. China
introduced direct subsidies for farmers, began to phase out its
centuries-old agricultural tax, and implemented other policies
benefitting farmers.
China's Japonica Rice Market: Growth and
Competitiveness
(November 2002) briefly describes
the evolution of China's japonica rice market over the last two
decades, including the impact of changes on China's competitiveness
in key Asian import markets. Although China has traditionally
exported long grain (or indica) rice varieties, in recent years, it
has exported substantial amounts of japonica rice as well.
Taiwan's Rice Import Market to Open with WTO
Accession
(November 2001) reviews Taiwan's
policies toward its most important crop. World Trade Organization
accession in 2002 has introduced a minimum access import quota of 8
percent, and in order to withdraw an equivalent amount of
production from the market, Taiwan's government is preparing to
enlarge the paddy area that farmers leave fallow.
The U.S. Rice Export Market
(November 2000) analyzes the markets
for different types of U.S.-grown rice. Trends within each market
are addressed, as well as the U.S. position in global rice
trade.
Rice Tariffication in Japan: What Does It Mean for
Trade?
(April 1999) examines how Japan used
tariff-rate quotas in 1999 and 2000 to slow growth in rice imports.
While Japan now allows imports above the minimum amounts required
under the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, tariffs on rice
imports above minimum access are prohibitively high--in 1999, 450
percent of the price of imported rice. U.S. rice exports to Japan
likely increased at a slower rate than under fixed quantitative
limits.
Commodity Policy
2008 Farm Bill Side-By-Side (August 2008)
presents a title-by-title summary of key provisions of the 2008 Act
in a side-by-side comparison with previous legislation. The
side-by-side includes links to related ERS publications and to
analyses of previous farm acts. New features include a user's
guide, an A-Z list of major provisions, and a search function.
Valuing
Counter-Cyclical Payments: Implications for Producer Risk
Management and Program Administration (February 2007)
illustrates an improved method for estimating counter-cyclical
payment (CCP) rates by accounting for the variability in market
price forecast errors. Forecasters and producers can use the model
to calculate the probability of having to repay advanced CCPs.
Rice Backgrounder (December 2006) reports that
U.S. rice farming is a high-cost, large-scale operation. While
domestic disappearance continues to increase, the outlook for rice
farm incomes is tempered by higher production costs and continued
strong competition in many international markets from lower cost
Asian exporters.