Overview
- MAFF forecast staple‑rice production at 7,468,000 tons as of October 25, up 676,000 tons from 2024 after a minor 9,000‑ton downward revision from September.
- Using a new estimate that excludes small grains, MAFF projected 7,181,000 tons for 2025, offering an alternative view of marketable volume.
- The nationwide crop condition yield index stood at 102, indicating slightly better‑than‑normal growing conditions.
- October’s average relative wholesale price reached 37,058 yen per 60‑kg bag of brown rice, a fresh record that was 163 yen above September and about 1.6 times a year earlier.
- Trade volume in October totaled 337,000 tons, the third‑largest on record for that month, yet prices have not stabilized, and MAFF indicated it will examine the unusual buying patterns.