Japan ministry says rice harvest to surge by record on high prices
The ministry has announced an outlook for 2025 rice production as of the end of June.
The estimate says that about 1.36 million hectares will be dedicated to growing table rice this year. That's up about 100,000 hectares from 2024.
The harvest is likely to increase as much as 560,000 tons to 7.35 million tons.
The estimate represents the largest year-on-year growth since the ministry began the rice production survey in 2004. It is also an increase of 160,000 tons from April.
Framers have cut acreage for animal feed rice about half, while expanding that for human consumption. Total 2025 rice acreage including animal feed, is little changed from last year at about 1.52 million hectares.
Officials at the agriculture ministry said higher table rice prices have encouraged farmers to increase production for human consumption except for some areas where producers are too old to boost the output."
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