Rice Price Prospects in Japan Soar in August

Japan's rice price forecast indicator registers a significant increase on September 5th, as per Jiji Press reports.

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2025 September 14 . 10:21 AM

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Rice Price Anticipation Index Soars in August for Japan

Rice Price Prospects in Japan Soar in August

The rice price outlook in Japan has taken a significant turn, as the monthly survey measuring the index experienced its largest increase since March 2012 in August. The index, which indicates the outlook for rice prices in Japan, reached an all-time high of 69 points in August 2023.

The increase in the index was not directly linked to the advance payments made by the JA group, a key player in the Japanese agricultural industry, to farmers. However, it is worth noting that the increase in advance payments occurred before the surge in the index. The identity of the leader of the JA group who made this decision remains undisclosed.

The rice price outlook index is a predictor of future rice prices in Japan, based on the collective opinions of industry experts. These experts include rice producers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. The survey, which began in March 2012, does not have a fixed monthly schedule, but it has been conducted regularly since its inception.

The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, or Zen-Noh, is the industry group that reports this data. The JA group, too, is a part of this group. Interestingly, the JA group was not mentioned as a direct participant in the August rice price outlook index survey.

The index reads 50 when rice prices are expected to be "roughly the same level" as current prices. If the index nears 100, views are stronger that rice prices will be "higher in the future." The 23-point surge in August indicates a stronger view that rice prices will be higher in the coming months.

The August survey received responses from 131 respondents, a number that increased to 180 in the following month. Despite the increase, the exact reasons for the surge in the index remain unclear, and further analysis is required to fully understand the factors contributing to this trend.