HOKKAIDO, May 12 (News On Japan) –
Brand rice selection Yumepirika was being planted one after one other in rice paddies in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, as rice planting work accelerates throughout Japan forward of the autumn harvest, with consideration now turning to how a lot this yr’s new rice will value.
At a grocery store in Saitama Prefecture on May eleventh, in style rice varieties together with Koshihikari have been being offered for lower than 3,000 yen excluding tax.
Tomonari Iida, supervisor of Fresh Market Higashihongo retailer, mentioned: “It would have been almost unthinkable to sell at this price not long ago. Since the start of the year, prices have fallen by 100 yen, 200 yen, even 300 yen.”
One shopper visiting the grocery store mentioned: “(Q. How do you feel about cheaper branded rice?) It still tastes good even when cold, so lower prices really help.”
Against this backdrop, a brand new outlook survey focusing on rice business individuals was launched on May eleventh.
The value outlook index rises because it approaches 100, however the forecast index for the following three months stood at 28. The determine has remained under the important thing 50-point threshold for seven consecutive months, indicating that expectations for additional value declines proceed to dominate.
The newest grocery store rice costs have additionally fallen into the three,700-yen vary for the primary time in round eight months, with the typical value for five kilograms at 3,796 yen. Retailers are more and more transferring to scale back inventories earlier than newly harvested rice reaches the market.
Questions are actually rising over whether or not costs for this autumn’s new rice crop will proceed to say no.
Naoya Matsudaira, assistant professor at Utsunomiya University’s Faculty of Agriculture and an professional on rice distribution, mentioned: “Last year prices exceeded 4,000 yen, but I don’t think they will rise that high this time, even for premium brands. Inventory levels will continue to affect the market after the new harvest arrives. I expect prices to be around 3,500 yen when the new rice begins going on sale.”
Meanwhile, rice producers voiced issues over cultivation circumstances.
Rice farmer Shogo Tada mentioned: “It’s difficult, but Koshihikari is the king of rice. Most farmers still grow Koshihikari on 20% to 30% of their land.”
Although Koshihikari stays extremely in style, Tada mentioned the acute warmth seen in 2025 uncovered a number of the selection’s weaknesses.
“When temperatures rise, there is a greater risk of water shortages and damage from stink bugs, which can lower quality,” Tada mentioned. “The grains become thinner and the quality grade can also fall.”
Attention will stay targeted on rice value developments heading towards the autumn harvest season.
Source: FNN