As the media written, the South Korean rice arrived in Japan last month, for the first time since 1999. years, because the prices of domestic continue to grow in spite of the government’s efforts to calm the market.
The price of Japanese rice more than doubled compared to last year, so many consumers, despite high customs, began looking for cheaper import options. For now, only two tons of South Korean rice is imported, which is sold online and in shops, but the Public Television NHK announced the arrival of another 20 tons in the coming days.
The Japanese are traditionally distrustful of foreign rice. For example, Thai rice imported in 1993. after a cold summer barely sold, but due to the current crisis, they increasingly accept the import rice. According to the Jonhap Agency, the export of South Korean rice in Japan could be the largest since 1990, and new opportunities for American producers have opened.
Arata Hirano, the owner of the restaurant in Tokyo, crossed the American rice last year when domestic stocks dry out and jumped abruptly. For Reuters, he said the price of California rice has doubled since then, but it is still cheaper than Japanese. Guests, he says, did not notice the difference, among them Miki Nihei, who had just later learned that he was eating American rice.
“I had no idea. I don’t have a problem for eating the import rice. Prices jumped and I keep looking for more favorable options,” she said.
On Sunday to 6. April The price of 5-pounds of rice in supermarkets reached 4,214 yen (about $ 30 or £ 22), which is more than twice the same time last year. The government has so reached for an unusual move, it began to release stocks from state reserves. In March, they released 210,000 tons on the market to try to stop the price growth caused by record summer heat, panic purchasing and supply problems.
Japan used spare supplies only after natural disasters or bad harvests, but this is the first time they intervened due to distribution problems. Despite everything, the effect is weak for now.
Last Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture admitted that logistics problems prevented the arrival of most rice to shops. At the auction in the middle of March, 142,000 tons were offered, but by the end of the month only 426 tons, the shelf reached the ministry, curve all the shortcomings and time required to prepare rice for sale.
The stock of rice were already severely reduced due to record heat that affected Gender 2023. Years. Last year, they further fell due to increased consumption caused by the record number of tourists, and the situation worsened and panic purchases after the Tiffuna and Earth Warning, which made some traders for sale.
(Vijesti.ba)
