Key Facts
• August 6: Saga Prefecture’s earliest new rice, Tanabata Koshihikari, was shipped.
• Current average rice price: ¥3,776 per 5 kg, 40% higher than last year.
• Tanabata Koshihikari retail price: Around ¥4,500 per 5 kg.
• JA Saga’s minimum guarantee for rice: ¥23,000 per 60 kg, up ¥4,000 from last year.
• Non-JA buyers collect rice at ¥45,000–¥50,000 per 60 kg, nearly double JA prices.
• Factors for price hikes: High temperatures in 2023 reduced milling yields, creating scarcity.
• Upcoming harvests: Yumeshizuku (mid-September), Sagabiyori and Hinatamaru (mid-October).
• JA Saga to announce new minimum guarantee prices for key varieties this month.
• Weather impacts like heatwaves and typhoons remain critical for future pricing.
• Consumers express concerns over rising costs, urging government intervention.
Summary
Saga Prefecture has begun distributing its new rice, including Tanabata Koshihikari, amid persistently high rice prices. The average price per 5 kg has risen 40% year-on-year to ¥3,776, with Tanabata Koshihikari retailing at around ¥4,500. Factors such as reduced milling yields due to high temperatures in 2023 and increased competition from non-JA buyers have driven prices up. JA Saga introduced a minimum guarantee of ¥23,000 per 60 kg for Sagabiyori, up ¥4,000 from last year, and plans to announce new guarantees for other varieties soon. While supply is stable, future prices depend on weather conditions and government policies. Consumers remain concerned about affordability, highlighting the need for systemic solutions.
