Surge in Demand for Table Rice Signals Shift in Consumption Trends

According to the latest forecast from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, the demand for table rice in Japan is set to increase by approximately 400,000 tons compared to previous estimates. This marks a notable turnaround from a recent decreasing trend linked to Japan's declining population.

For the crop year of 2025, which will be harvested between July 2025 and June 2026, the demand is projected to fall within a range of 6.97 million to 7.11 million tons. The ministry plans to convene the Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies to discuss new calculation methods and other pertinent details regarding rice demand.

Previously, forecasts had indicated a drop in table rice demand of about 100,000 tons annually due to changes in diet and population decline. However, the ministry now intends to provide forecasts that reflect the rise in consumption driven by an increase in foreign tourism and greater household purchasing.

These demand forecasts play a crucial role in shaping the planting decisions of rice farmers for the next growing season. Typically, the ministry releases its annual forecasts at the end of July. The original estimate for the 2024 crop was set at 6.73 million tons, but actual demand outstripped this at 7.11 million tons, prompting the ministry to delay the announcement for the 2025 crop forecast initially scheduled for July.