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Kyodo News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Supermarkets offering foreign-grown rice as Japan faces record prices
KYODO NEWS - 43 minutes ago - 12:19 | All, Japan Japan's supermarket operators have been strengthening sales of cheaper, foreign-grown rice, offering another choice to consumers hit by rising prices and concerns about shortages of the country's staple food. Aeon Co. will start selling California-sourced rice on June 6 at its stores, mainly in urban areas, at 2,894 yen ($20) for 4 kilograms. Converted to the more common Japanese sales unit of 5 kilograms, it is 3,618 yen, some 15 percent cheaper than the average price calculated by the farm ministry of Japanese-grown rice at supermarkets nationwide in early May. The company already launched a blend of U.S.- and domestically-grown rice in April. Rival food retailers Ito-Yokado Co. and Seiyu Co. have also sold rice from California and Taiwan, respectively, and seen solid demand. Aeon said the decision to sell California's Calrose rice reflects consumer interest, saying they can no longer purchase rice as before due to higher prices. "The price (of the new product) is affordable. By offering customers the freedom of choice, we hope that overall rice consumption will increase," Aeon Executive Vice President Mitsuko Tsuchiya told a recent press conference. Japan imports rice either through the government, which is obliged to purchase a certain amount from other countries under World Trade Organization arrangements, or private companies, which pay a tariff to the government. Aeon plans to acquire the rice via private import and sell some 14,000 tons over a three-month period. Less sticky and with a more neutral taste than Japanese rice, the medium Calrose variety grown in California is suited for use in risottos, pilaf, stews and soup, Aeon said. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the sale of the U.S.-grown rice by Aeon "historic" for American farmers, given Japan is a "country that takes its rice very seriously, and it's probably the most discerning consumer when it comes to food quality." "Aeon has certainly gone big in its commitment to American rice and American farmers, and at a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers," Glass said. The average price of rice sold at Japanese supermarkets from May 5 to May 11 was a record 4,268 yen per 5 kg, up from 4,214 yen between late April and early May, when it dropped for the first time in 18 weeks. The level remains around two times higher than the previous year, partly due to a poor harvest in the summer of 2023. Related coverage: New farm minister eyes 2,000 yen per 5 kg retail price for gov't rice Japan inflation accelerates in April on reduced energy subsidies FOCUS: Free rice gaffe sends Ishiba into pre-election damage control mode
Kyodo News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Supermarkets offering foreign-grown rice as Japan faces record prices
KYODO NEWS - 1 minute ago - 12:19 | All, Japan Japan's supermarket operators have been strengthening sales of cheaper, foreign-grown rice, offering another choice to consumers hit by rising prices and concerns about shortages of the country's staple food. Aeon Co. will start selling California-sourced rice on June 6 at its stores, mainly in urban areas, at 2,894 yen ($20) for 4 kilograms. Converted to the more common Japanese sales unit of 5 kilograms, it is 3,618 yen, some 15 percent cheaper than the average price calculated by the farm ministry of Japanese-grown rice at supermarkets nationwide in early May. The company already launched a blend of U.S.- and domestically-grown rice in April. Rival food retailers Ito-Yokado Co. and Seiyu Co. have also sold rice from California and Taiwan, respectively, and seen solid demand. Aeon said the decision to sell California's Calrose rice reflects consumer interest, saying they can no longer purchase rice as before due to higher prices. "The price (of the new product) is affordable. By offering customers the freedom of choice, we hope that overall rice consumption will increase," Aeon Executive Vice President Mitsuko Tsuchiya told a recent press conference. Japan imports rice either through the government, which is obliged to purchase a certain amount from other countries under World Trade Organization arrangements, or private companies, which pay a tariff to the government. Aeon plans to acquire the rice via private import and sell some 14,000 tons over a three-month period. Less sticky and with a more neutral taste than Japanese rice, the medium Calrose variety grown in California is suited for use in risottos, pilaf, stews and soup, Aeon said. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the sale of the U.S.-grown rice by Aeon "historic" for American farmers, given Japan is a "country that takes its rice very seriously, and it's probably the most discerning consumer when it comes to food quality." "Aeon has certainly gone big in its commitment to American rice and American farmers, and at a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers," Glass said. The average price of rice sold at Japanese supermarkets from May 5 to May 11 was a record 4,268 yen per 5 kg, up from 4,214 yen between late April and early May, when it dropped for the first time in 18 weeks. The level remains around two times higher than the previous year, partly due to a poor harvest in the summer of 2023. Related coverage: New farm minister eyes 2,000 yen per 5 kg retail price for gov't rice Japan inflation accelerates in April on reduced energy subsidies FOCUS: Free rice gaffe sends Ishiba into pre-election damage control mode
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Supermarkets offering foreign-grown rice as Japan faces record prices
Mr Arata Hirano, owner of the restaurant Shokudou Arata, pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker to cook rice at his restaurant in Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS TOKYO - Japan's supermarket operators have been strengthening sales of cheaper, foreign-grown rice, offering another choice to consumers hit by rising prices and concerns about shortages of the country's staple food. Aeon will start selling California-sourced rice on June 6 at its stores, mainly in urban areas, at 2,894 yen ( S$26) for 4kg. Converted to the more common Japanese sales unit of 5kg, it is 3,618 yen, some 15 per cent cheaper than the average price calculated by the farm ministry of Japanese-grown rice at supermarkets nationwide in early May. The company already launched a blend of US and domestically-grown rice in April. Rival food retailers Ito-Yokado and Seiyu have also sold rice from California and Taiwan, respectively, and seen solid demand. Aeon said the decision to sell California's Calrose rice reflects consumer interest, saying they can no longer purchase rice as before due to higher prices. 'The price (of the new product) is affordable. By offering customers the freedom of choice, we hope that overall rice consumption will increase,' Aeon Executive Vice-President Mitsuko Tsuchiya said at a recent press conference. Japan imports rice either through the government, which is obliged to purchase a certain amount from other countries under World Trade Organisation arrangements, or private companies, which pay a tariff to the government. Aeon plans to acquire the rice via private import and sell some 14,000 tons over a three-month period. Less sticky and with a more neutral taste than Japanese rice, the medium Calrose variety grown in California is suited for use in risottos, pilaf, stews and soup, Aeon said. US Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the sale of the US-grown rice by Aeon 'historic' for American farmers, given Japan is a 'country that takes its rice very seriously, and it's probably the most discerning consumer when it comes to food quality'. 'Aeon has certainly gone big in its commitment to American rice and American farmers, and at a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers,' Mr Glass said. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Mainichi
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Supermarkets offering foreign-grown rice as Japan faces record prices
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's supermarket operators have been strengthening sales of cheaper, foreign-grown rice, offering another choice to consumers hit by rising prices and concerns about shortages of the country's staple food. Aeon Co. will start selling California-sourced rice on June 6 at its stores, mainly in urban areas, at 2,894 yen ($20) for 4 kilograms. Converted to the more common Japanese sales unit of 5 kilograms, it is 3,618 yen, some 15 percent cheaper than the average price calculated by the farm ministry of Japanese-grown rice at supermarkets nationwide in early May. The company already launched a blend of U.S.- and domestically-grown rice in April. Rival food retailers Ito-Yokado Co. and Seiyu Co. have also sold rice from California and Taiwan, respectively, and seen solid demand. Aeon said the decision to sell California's Calrose rice reflects consumer interest, saying they can no longer purchase rice as before due to higher prices. "The price (of the new product) is affordable. By offering customers the freedom of choice, we hope that overall rice consumption will increase," Aeon Executive Vice President Mitsuko Tsuchiya told a recent press conference. Japan imports rice either through the government, which is obliged to purchase a certain amount from other countries under World Trade Organization arrangements, or private companies, which pay a tariff to the government. Aeon plans to acquire the rice via private import and sell some 14,000 tons over a three-month period. Less sticky and with a more neutral taste than Japanese rice, the medium Calrose variety grown in California is suited for use in risottos, pilaf, stews and soup, Aeon said. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the sale of the U.S.-grown rice by Aeon "historic" for American farmers, given Japan is a "country that takes its rice very seriously, and it's probably the most discerning consumer when it comes to food quality." "Aeon has certainly gone big in its commitment to American rice and American farmers, and at a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers," Glass said. The average price of rice sold at Japanese supermarkets from May 5 to May 11 was a record 4,268 yen per 5 kg, up from 4,214 yen between late April and early May, when it dropped for the first time in 18 weeks. The level remains around two times higher than the previous year, partly due to a poor harvest in the summer of 2023.
Japan Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japanese retailers turn to California rice for cheaper alternative
Japanese retailers are turning to California-grown rice, known as Calrose, as an alternative to Japanese rice, which remains pricey and hard to come by. On Tuesday, major retailer Aeon held a Calrose tasting event at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, where it revealed it will start selling the 'Karoyaka' variety from June 6. 'For Japan's largest supermarket chain to offer 100% U.S.-grown Calrose rice in its stores across the country is truly a historic moment,' said U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass. A 4 kilogram bag of Calrose rice will cost ¥2,894, about 15% cheaper than Japanese rice. The average supermarket price of a 5 kg bag of Japanese rice was ¥4,214 during the week of April 28. Calrose rice is a long grain variety and not as sticky as Japanese rice, and it works well in meals such as fried rice or risotto. 'While valuing domestically produced rice with the aim of achieving both freedom of choice and security of supply, we would like to newly offer customers the freedom of choice by selling Calrose rice,' Aeon's executive vice president, Mitsuko Tsuchiya, said. California rice at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday | JIJI Aeon began selling a blend of Japanese and American rice last month, with the U.S. rice imported under the 'minimum access' deal — an agreement under the World Trade Organization that allows Japan to import a certain amount of foreign rice tariff-free. However, Karoyaka will be imported outside of the minimum access deal, with Aeon paying a ¥341-per-kilogram tariff. Using foreign rice as a quick fix may be turning into a trend among retailers. Ito Yokado, another major retailer, sold bags of California-grown rice between February and April at a few select stores around the country . Seiyu, a supermarket chain, has been selling Taiwan-grown rice since last November. 'Unlike other rice like Thai rice, (Calrose rice) has a certain stickiness to it, so if you are somewhat good at cooking rice, you can eat it without feeling any stark difference (from Japanese rice),' said a Hiranoya rice store worker in Tokyo, who only gave her last name Hirano. She said many people may have misconceptions about how Calrose tastes. 'Compared to Japanese rice it is a little less sticky but nothing that you can't get past — it's rice that many major Japanese restaurant chains use already so it's not that different,' she said. Since last year, Japan has been seeing major spikes in rice prices, prompting the government to auction off its emergency stockpile of rice. However, the grain remains more than double the price of what it was the year before.
