Tomato Price Hike: Poor Harvest Spreads to Ketchup Prices

Feb 01, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - February is upon us, bringing with it a wave of price increases for over 1,000 food items for the first time in four months, with tomato ketchup and other processed tomato products at the forefront.

According to Teikoku Databank, the number of food items slated for a price hike next month is expected to reach 1,626, surpassing 1,000 items for the first time since October last year.

The most noticeable increases are in tomato-related products like ketchup and pasta sauces, primarily due to the global heatwave causing a significant decrease in tomato production.

Kagome will adjust the shipping prices of products such as "Kagome Tomato Ketchup" by 8% to 16% and beverages like "Kagome Tomato Juice" and "Kagome Vegetable Life 100" by 6% to 13%.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' forecast for domestic vegetable prices in February predicts higher than average prices for onions, napa cabbage, and cabbage. The increase in onion prices is attributed to reduced shipments caused by poor growth due to the heatwave.

Significant food price increases are expected in April, in response to the "2024 logistics issue," with anticipated hikes in logistics costs. "April could see a reach of 3,000 items for the first time in six months," analysts say, highlighting the impact of rising transportation costs on food prices.

Source: TBS NEWS

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