Overview

• The Rice Stabilization and Supply Support Organization’s August survey rose 23 points to 69, signaling a shift toward expectations of higher prices driven by strong new-crop valuations.
• The agriculture ministry reported a nationwide weekly retail average of 3,586 yen per 5 kilograms across roughly 6,000 stores for Aug. 25–31, up 87 yen with seven of nine regions higher.
• A separate ministry sample of about 1,000 supermarkets showed 3,891 yen per 5 kilograms, up 115 yen, as the share of lower-priced blends that include reserve rice fell to 39 percent.
• The government extended sales of stockpiled rice beyond August, and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he will closely monitor price trends and consider response measures.
• Competition to procure new-harvest rice has intensified, pushing JA advance payments to record levels, while crop-condition concerns increased and regional prices ranged from 4,253 yen in Hokuriku to 3,144 yen in Kyushu–Okinawa.