Key Facts
• August: Minister Koizumi announced an extension for reserve rice sales deadline.
• 280,000 tons of reserve rice: 100,000 tons delayed due to logistical issues.
• Reserve rice sales aim to prevent price impacts on new rice.
• Minister Koizumi: Reserve rice unlikely to affect branded rice prices.
• 2025 new rice prices: Predicted to rise significantly compared to 2024.
• Fukui Prefecture: New rice “Hanaechizen” shipped; production remains average.
• JA advance payment to producers: 1.7x higher than 2024.
• Ishikawa Prefecture: New rice priced 1.5x higher than 2024, exceeding $31 for 5kg.
• Tokyo: Saga-produced Koshihikari priced at $31 for 5kg, a 40% increase from 2024.
• Chiba Prefecture: New rice prices rose over $7 compared to 2024.
• Expert opinion: Reserve rice unlikely to lower new rice prices; depends on harvest yield.
Summary
Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Koizumi, announced an extension for the sale of reserve rice, initially set to end in August, to address logistical delays. Despite concerns, Koizumi stated that reserve rice sales are unlikely to impact new rice prices. However, 2025 new rice prices are significantly higher, with some regions reporting increases of up to 40% compared to 2024. For instance, Saga’s Koshihikari is priced at $31 for 5kg, while Ishikawa’s new rice exceeds $31 for the same quantity. Experts suggest that price trends depend on harvest yields, with no immediate relief expected from reserve rice sales.
