Key Facts
• On September 12, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported rice prices.
• Average price for 5kg of rice reached ¥4,155 (tax included) from September 1–7.
• This marks a ¥264 increase from the previous week and a two-week price rise.
• First time in 13 weeks that prices exceeded ¥4,000.
• High-priced early-harvest rice and reduced supply of cheaper stockpiled rice contributed.
• Blended rice prices rose significantly to ¥3,725, up ¥440 from the prior week.
• Branded rice prices increased to ¥4,344, a ¥72 rise from the previous week.
• Blended rice accounted for 30% of sales, down 9 percentage points from the prior week.
• Stockpiled rice sold via discretionary contracts averaged ¥3,255, up ¥171.
• Pure stockpiled rice under discretionary contracts dropped slightly to ¥1,999.
• Total stockpiled rice sales reached 143,253 tons as of September 7.
• Tokyo led sales with 13,012 tons, while Akita recorded the lowest at 182 tons.
Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the average price of 5kg of rice sold in supermarkets from September 1–7 rose to ¥4,155, marking a ¥264 increase from the previous week and the first time in 13 weeks that prices exceeded ¥4,000. The rise is attributed to the growing availability of high-priced early-harvest rice and a reduced share of cheaper stockpiled rice in the market. Blended rice prices saw a significant jump to ¥3,725, while branded rice prices increased to ¥4,344. Stockpiled rice sold under discretionary contracts averaged ¥3,255, with pure stockpiled rice slightly declining to ¥1,999. Total stockpiled rice sales reached 143,253 tons, with Tokyo leading at 13,012 tons and Akita recording the lowest at 182 tons.
