Koizumi Announces Suspension of Discretionary Contracts for Rice Reserves

TOKYO, May 28 (News On Japan) - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has temporarily halted new applications for discretionary contracts to purchase rice from government reserves, Agriculture Minister Koizumi announced on May 27th. The decision comes after applications for 2022-harvest rice reached the quota limit of 200,000 tons.

Koizumi said that sales will resume on May 30th, but only for rice harvested in 2021. The new round of contracts will be limited to small-scale supermarkets and neighborhood rice retailers.

Retail prices are expected to fall to around 1,800 yen for 5 kilograms under this revised distribution plan.

Source: TBS

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