Full Breakdown
Riceland Foods Temporarily Shuts Nine Rice Dryers as Arkansas Planting Plummets
6/20/2026, 7:34:26 AM
Rice Dryer Closures Amid Historic Planting Decline
Riceland Foods, the nation’s largest rice cooperative, announced the temporary shutdown of nine of its 23 drying facilities located in Lonoke, Des Arc, Dumas, Fair Oaks, Griffithville, Knobel, Parkin, Tuckerman, and Dudley, Missouri. The decision follows a projected planting shortfall of up to 40 % in Arkansas, the state’s primary rice-growing region.
Background: Arkansas Rice Production Trends
Arkansas typically plants between 1.2 million and 1.4 million acres of rice each year. This season, low commodity prices and rising input costs have driven forecasts to as few as 800,000 acres, a level not seen since the 1970s. Recent oversupply from two consecutive strong harvests has further depressed U.S. rice futures.
Key Figures
- Ashten Adamson – Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Riceland Foods.
- Keith Glover – President and CEO of Producers Rice Mill and Chairman of USA Rice.
Timeline of Facility Decisions
- Early November 2024 – Riceland announces temporary closure of nine dryers.
- Early December 2024 – Producers Rice Mill’s board will decide whether to use two of its dryers for green rice or storage, as indicated by Glover.
Data & Statistics
- Typical planting: 1.2–1.4 million acres.
- Projected planting: ~800,000 acres (?40 % decline).
- Riceland dryer network: 23 facilities; 9 closed temporarily.
- Producers Rice Mill: potential temporary shutdown of 2 dryers.
- Input costs: described as “dramatically increased.”
Impact on State Agriculture
Experts warn that reduced acreage could lead to permanent loss of critical infrastructure—dryers, storage sites, and mills—making future recovery more difficult. A contraction in domestic production may push buyers toward foreign suppliers, threatening U.S. market share and traditional export destinations.
Official Statements & Responses
Riceland’s Ashten Adamson explained that the closures are a response to unprecedented low acreage and that the cooperative will continue using the affected sites for rice storage while monitoring market conditions. Producers Rice Mill’s Keith Glover indicated that the board will assess the use of its two facilities in early December, either for green rice handling or storage, based on the final acreage figure.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry analysts highlight two primary pressures on acreage: historically low U.S. rice futures prices after two strong crops and sharply higher input costs. Glover cautioned that loss of drying and storage capacity could become permanent, and that regaining markets lost to alternative origins is historically difficult.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Projected planting figures range from “as few as 800,000 acres” to “possibly even less,” reflecting uncertainty pending the release of a federal acreage survey at month’s end. The exact number of acres ultimately planted remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Since rice acres have fallen to levels we haven't seen since the 1970s, we've been forced to temporarily close a portion of our dryer network,” — Ashten Adamson, Riceland Foods
- “We're weathering as best we can, trying to make plans, and this is part of the plan. And with all plans, as you know, they can change. Our team is monitoring all of those things we've discussed diligently and trying to make the best decisions as we move forward.” — Ashten Adamson, Riceland Foods
- “The loss of the infrastructure, if dryers or storage facilities are not able to weather the storm, that could be a permanent impact," Glover said.” — Keith Glover, Producers Rice Mill / USA Rice
What’s Next
The USDA’s annual rice acreage survey, scheduled for release at the end of the month, will provide definitive planting data. Producers Rice Mill expects to announce its facility usage decision in early December, while Riceland will continue to assess dryer operations as market conditions evolve.
