From CNBC, September 24:
- Japan has been contending with a rice shortage in recent months due to a mix of bad weather and increase in tourists, undergirded by Japan’s restrictive rice policies.
- In August, supermarkets reportedly often ran out of white rice and stores limited purchases to one bag per person.
Sushi, onigiri and yakitori don — Japanese rice is a key staple in many of its iconic dishes, but the country is facing its biggest shortfall in decades.
Japan has been contending with a rice shortage in recent months due to a mix of bad weather and an increase in tourists, undergirded by the country’s restrictive rice policies.
“Throughout summer 2024, Japan has been grappling with a table rice shortage resulting in empty supermarket as demand outpaced production for the last three years causing stocks to deplete to their lowest levels in over 20 years,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture wrote in a report published last week. Consumers also stockpiled more rice in preparation for Japan’s typhoon season and a major earthquake warning, the USDA added.
In August, supermarkets reportedly often ran out of white rice and stores limited purchases to one bag per person. Local media NHK partly attributed the shortage to an influx in tourists pushing up demand for sushi and other rice-based dishes. Prices of rice hit 16,133 yen ($112.67) per 60kg in August, rising 3% from the previous month and 5% higher since the start of the year....
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