Key Facts
• September sees 1,422 food items increase in price, marking 9 consecutive months of hikes.
• Condiments lead with 427 items, followed by frozen foods (338) and snacks (291).
• Kewpie mayonnaise rose from ¥520 to ¥559; Nisshin OilliO cooking oil up 11–18%.
• Lotte ice cream products, including Yukimi Daifuku, increased by up to 14.8%.
• Sanma fish prices dropped to ¥215 per piece, over ¥100 cheaper than last year.
• New rice shipments began, but prices exceed ¥5,000 for 5 kg, up 10% from 2024.
• Vegetables and fruits are 10–20% more expensive due to drought and high temperatures.
• High produce prices may persist until late November, with relief expected in December.
• Rising production costs continue to burden consumers and retailers alike.
Summary
The ongoing wave of price hikes in Japan is impacting everyday essentials, including condiments, frozen foods, and ice cream, with 1,422 food items seeing increases in September alone. Retailers are struggling to manage rising costs without alienating customers. While sanma fish prices have dropped due to a strong harvest, new rice and fresh produce remain expensive, with vegetables and fruits up 10–20% due to drought conditions. Experts predict high prices will persist until late November, with potential relief in December. Consumers face a challenging autumn as production costs continue to rise.
