ARLINGTON, VIRGINA, U.S. — According to the annual USA Rice Federation U.S. Rice Domestic Usage Report, which tracks shipments and consumption of U.S. milled rice from August 2009 to July 2010, U.S. rice mills shipped 10.7 billion pounds of rice to domestic and export markets.

Thirty-three mills participated in the survey, representing 86% of domestic rice use. Americans consumed 25 pounds of rice per capita (consumption has ranged between 25-26 pounds for the past four years). Imports were virtually unchanged from last year at 13.3 billion pounds.

Other key findings include:

• Total shipments from U.S. rice mills to all markets remained steady compared to last year; exports increased 3%, while domestic shipments declined 3%.
• 58% of total shipments (62.5 mm cwt) went to the domestic market.
• 42% (44.6 mm cwt) were exported.
• Rice shipments to U.S. market segments was 62.5 billion pounds.
• 59% for direct food use (36.7 billion pounds).
• 41% to food processors (25.8 billion pounds).
• Largest market segments for rice in direct food use are retail grocery (32%), ethnic distributors (25%), repackers (17%) and foodservice (17%).
• 85% of rice consumed in the U.S. is domestically grown, and 15% is imported.

A full copy of the report can be obtained at www.usarice.com/reports.