経済｜新米高騰、完売の理由とは / Economy | What’s behind the soaring rice prices and sold-out stocks?

Summary

As new rice varieties continue to hit the shelves, one rice store has sold out of its Koshihikari at 8,800 yen for 5 kilograms.

Despite the high price, the strong consumer demand for new rice is driving sales. On the other hand, farmers are experiencing a decrease in harvest yields due to water shortages, which could impact rice prices in the future. The optimal time to buy new rice is considered to be around mid-October, with new varieties from the Tohoku region and Hokkaido expected to be available as well.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Log: The reason new rice sells well even though it’s expensive is probably because of its appealing taste.
Chako: That makes sense! But hearing about water shortages makes me worried…
Navi: Water shortages directly impact the harvest yield, so we can expect to see price fluctuations as a result.
Log: Exactly, the key is how the harvest yield will turn out in the future.
Chako: So, if mid-October is the best time to buy, should we wait?

Admin’s Note

The phenomenon of new rice selling well despite rising prices indicates a strong consumer demand for it. Particularly, Koshihikari is very popular, and it’s surprising that people are still willing to buy it even at high prices. On the other hand, considering the impact of water shortages on agriculture, it’s essential to pay attention to future harvest yields. In light of this economic context, it’s important for consumers to be savvy about when to make their purchases.