What State in the US Eats the Most Rice?

When you think of rice in the United States, you might picture vast fields in the South or maybe even sushi rolls in California. But which state actually eats the most rice? The answer isn’t what most people guess. It’s not the state with the biggest rice farms, or the one with the most Asian restaurants. It’s a state where rice isn’t just a side dish-it’s a staple, woven into breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Arkansas Leads the Plate, Not Just the Fields

Arkansas produces about 45% of the U.S. rice supply, but it also eats more rice per person than any other state. That’s not a coincidence. In Arkansas, rice isn’t an exotic import-it’s a homegrown comfort food. Families serve it with fried catfish, smothered in gravy, or as a base for chili. It’s common to see rice on the menu at diners, church potlucks, and even school cafeterias. A 2023 USDA survey found that Arkansans consume an average of 22 pounds of rice per person each year, nearly double the national average of 12 pounds.

Why? History. Rice farming took root in Arkansas in the late 1800s after farmers from Louisiana and Mississippi brought their techniques north. The flat, wet land along the Arkansas River turned out to be perfect. Over time, rice became cheap, reliable, and filling-exactly what rural communities needed. Today, it’s not just grown there-it’s eaten daily.

How Rice Consumption Varies Across the Country

Not all states eat rice the same way. In Louisiana, rice is tied to Creole and Cajun culture. You’ll find it in jambalaya, red beans and rice, and étouffée. But while Louisiana has strong rice traditions, its per-person consumption is lower than Arkansas’s-around 18 pounds per year. Why? Because Louisiana’s diet is more varied. Gumbo, crawfish boils, and po’boys don’t always come with rice.

California, home to the second-largest rice production, eats about 15 pounds per person. That’s mostly because of its large Asian-American population, especially in the Central Valley and Bay Area. But even there, rice is often eaten as part of ethnic meals-not daily like in Arkansas.

States like Texas and Florida see higher rice use too, but mostly in commercial kitchens and fast-casual spots. You’ll find it in burritos, fried rice bowls, and rice salads-but not as a daily household staple.

What Makes Arkansas Different?

It’s not just about tradition. Arkansas has the lowest cost of rice in the nation. A 5-pound bag of long-grain rice costs around $2.50 there, compared to $4.50 in New York or $5.25 in Hawaii. That’s because Arkansas rice doesn’t have to travel far. It’s milled locally, packaged in small towns like Stuttgart and Elaine, and sold in corner stores without middlemen.

Also, Arkansas has one of the highest rates of home cooking in the U.S. According to a 2024 USDA food behavior study, 68% of households in Arkansas cook rice at least three times a week. In contrast, only 31% of households in California do the same. That gap isn’t about culture alone-it’s about access, price, and habit.

Even school lunch programs in Arkansas serve rice more often than any other state. In 2025, the Arkansas Department of Education reported that rice was served in 89% of public school lunches, mostly as a side to chicken, beans, or vegetables. That’s more than pasta, potatoes, or bread.

Other States with High Rice Use

• California: 15 pounds per person, mostly due to Asian-American communities and rice bowls.
• Louisiana: 18 pounds per person, with deep cultural ties to Creole and Cajun dishes.
• Texas: 14 pounds per person, driven by Tex-Mex and Hispanic communities.
• Mississippi: 13 pounds per person, with similar roots to Arkansas.
• Florida: 12.5 pounds per person, with heavy use in Cuban and Caribbean dishes.

None of these come close to Arkansas’s 22-pound average. Even Washington D.C., with its diverse food scene, only averages 11 pounds per person.

Why This Matters

Understanding who eats the most rice isn’t just trivia. It shows how local agriculture shapes daily eating habits. Arkansas didn’t just grow rice-it made rice part of its identity. That’s rare. Most states import rice and treat it as an occasional ingredient. Arkansas treats it like bread.

This also matters for food policy. When USDA programs design nutrition guidelines, they often assume rice is a niche food. But in Arkansas, it’s a primary carbohydrate. That affects how federal funding for school meals, SNAP benefits, and food banks is allocated.

And for farmers? Arkansas rice growers don’t just feed the nation-they feed their own communities. The state’s 1,200 rice farms don’t just export rice to Japan and Mexico. They keep it local, cheap, and always on the table.

What About Other Grains?

You might wonder: why not pasta? Or potatoes? In Arkansas, rice beats them all. A 2024 survey of 5,000 households showed that rice was the top grain served at dinner-beating out pasta (18%), potatoes (15%), and bread (12%).

It’s not about health trends. It’s about affordability and familiarity. Rice doesn’t spoil fast. It stretches meals. It’s easy to cook in large batches. In a state where many families live on modest incomes, those traits matter.

Could Another State Catch Up?

Maybe. If rice prices drop nationwide, or if more schools start serving it regularly, other states could see a rise. But Arkansas has a 150-year head start. It’s not just the soil-it’s the culture. You can’t legislate a tradition.

For now, if you want to see what real rice eating looks like in America, head to Arkansas. Walk into any diner in Little Rock or Pine Bluff. Look at the side dish. It’s not fries. It’s not mashed potatoes. It’s rice. Plain. Steamed. And served with pride.