Japan’s Rice Prices Hit 13-Week High as Consumers Prefer Premium Varieties
Japan: Rice prices in Japan (: 日本の米価) have reached a 13-week high, as people shift towards premium rice and government stockpiles run low.
According to Japan’s agriculture ministry, the average price of a standard 5-kg rice bag has risen by ¥264 to ¥4,155 — the biggest weekly jump since 2022. This increase is mostly due to changes in what consumers are buying, not supply shortages.
Premium Rice Becomes Popular
Cheaper blended rice, which comes partly from government stockpiles, now makes up only 30% of the market, down from 58% in late June. Meanwhile, expensive branded rice, including fresh harvests, now dominates 70% of sales.
This shift shows that Japanese (: 日本の消費者) prefer high-quality rice, which pushes the average price higher even though supply is steady.
Government Stockpiles Losing Impact
Earlier, the Japanese government released rice from stockpiles to control prices. This kept costs below ¥4,000 in June. But as these reserves shrink, their effect is weakening. Analysts say the stockpile strategy may work only temporarily and cannot prevent price rises for long.
Market Effects
Experts note that seasonal factors and changing consumer habits are also driving prices up. The new harvest often comes with premium pricing, and fewer cheap government stocks naturally shift the market to higher-priced rice.
This rise affects households already facing inflation in Japan ( 日本の家庭). Rice, being a staple, is an important part of family budgets.
The situation shows how governments must carefully balance market intervention and natural price trends, especially for essential foods like rice.
👉 日本の米（nihongo: 米）は5kgで¥4,155、先週比¥264上昇。
👉 消費者は安い政府備蓄米（30%）ではなく、高級ブランド米（70%）を購入。
👉 6月に価格を抑えた政府備蓄も減少中 → 価格再上昇！
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