Key Facts
• June 12, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced expedited rice imports.
• 30,000 tons of foreign rice to be imported under the Minimum Access (MA) framework.
• Initial auction scheduled for June 27, with delivery by late September.
• Typically, auctions begin in September, with deliveries starting in December.
• MA rice is primarily used by restaurants and prepared meal providers.
• Imports will follow the Simultaneous Buy and Sell (SBS) contract system.
• Last year, four auctions were held from September to December, each for 25,000 tons.
• Government has already released 810,000 tons of its 910,000-ton rice reserve.
• Remaining 100,000 tons may also be released if prices remain high.
• Emergency imports of foreign rice are under consideration if shortages persist.
Summary
Japan’s Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced on June 12 that the government will expedite the import of 30,000 tons of foreign rice under the Minimum Access (MA) framework to address rising rice prices and shortages. The first auction is set for June 27, with delivery expected by late September, three months earlier than usual. MA rice, primarily used by restaurants and prepared meal providers, will be imported through the Simultaneous Buy and Sell (SBS) system. Last year, four auctions were held between September and December, each for 25,000 tons. The government has already released 810,000 tons from its 910,000-ton rice reserve and may release the remaining 100,000 tons if prices do not stabilize. Emergency imports of foreign rice are also being considered as a contingency measure.
