Overview

• MAFF data show the nationwide supermarket average for rice reached ¥3,804 per 5 kg for August 11–17, up ¥67 week over week for a second consecutive increase.
• The share of lower-cost blend and reserve rice fell to 42%, down six points on the week and declining for a fourth straight week as sales of high‑priced new rice expanded.
• By type, branded rice averaged ¥4,268 per 5 kg, up ¥29 from the prior week, while blend rice averaged ¥3,169, down ¥21.
• Kyodo reports that JA groups have raised advance payments to farmers in multiple prefectures, including Niigata at ¥30,000 per 60 kg (about 70% higher year over year) and Toyama at ¥26,000 (around 60% higher), a shift reporters say is likely to sustain high store prices into autumn.
• Government reserve rice sold via discretionary contracts totaled 118,061 tons as of August 17; at those outlets, the 5‑kg average was ¥3,059 and reserve‑only lots averaged ¥2,018.