Japan’s rice crunch spells opportunity abroadーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
rice prices at Japanese supermarkets have almost doubled in a year due to a supply shortage that’s giving farmers in Thailand and California a chance to export to Japan thailand is among the world’s largest rice producers these farmers near Bangkok have completed planting for the season this rice exporter has its eyes set on Japan the company’s research lab is developing strains that appeal to Japanese consumers testing for taste and texture is part of the process the goal is finding varieties that grow in Thailand and satisfy Japanese pallets rice this Thai rice is said to be fluffy and sweet the firm has exported 800 tons of rice to Japan in the first three months of this year that’s more than three times the annual export volume for all of last year the firm is enlisting influencers as part of its online advertising campaign once people taste the rice I’m confident they will trust its quality we hope to stage tasting events in Japan we want to give people across the country a chance to enjoy Thai rice an ocean away rice farmers in California are also optimistic about selling their grain in Japan this patty measures about 20 hectares the average rice farmer in the state cultivates 161 hectares about 80 times the standard in Japan the vast patties give these farmers economies of scale production costs are about 17th of that of Japan [Music] the grain seeds are scattered by light plains in Japan farmers plant seedlings but here seeds are released from the air after they’re soaked in water to add weight for the airrop california is fortunate because the valley is very flat it’s very open and it has good soils and good climate for rice what we hear in Japan is a shortage um we’re just happy that they are looking to California for additional supplies calrose rice from California is now available at some major supermarkets in Japan some expect the imports to help stabilize prices and ease tension at the Japanese dinner table
Japanese consumers are struggling with surges in rice prices. At the same time, exporters of the grain in Thailand and California are seizing the opportunity to sell more. #japan #usa #thailand #trade #business #rice #price
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