In February, the average retail price of rice in Japan increased by almost 90% compared to the same indicator a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan, Report informs via NHK.
Thus, the average market price for 5 kg of rice in the first week of February 2025 was 3,829 yen (about $25.22). This is 90% higher than in February last year - 2,000 yen ($13.17) for 5 kg of rice.
In October last year, it was mentioned that the most popular Japanese rice variety, Koshihikari, could disappear due to global warming. For 40 years, Koshihikari rice has been the most popular variety in Japan.
Last summer in Niigata prefecture, only 5% of its harvest was deemed suitable for sale - instead of the usual 80%. This led to empty shelves in stores and calls to use strategic rice reserves.
