U.S., world cotton, rice stocks lower

U.S., world cotton, rice stocks lower

The USDA has tightened the domestic balance sheets for cotton and rice.

U.S. rice ending stocks are now projected at 42.5 million hundredweight, a million less than January with a cut in imports more than canceled out by an increase for exports.

Global rice ending stocks were below a month ago, while production and exports were modestly higher.

Cotton ending stocks are expected to be 2.8 million bales, 100,000 under last month with an increase in exports against a decrease in domestic use.