Japan demand for 2020 rice seen falling 100,000 tons

November 21, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese demand for rice to be produced in 2020 for human consumption is forecast to decrease 100,000 tons from the previous year to 7.17 million tons, the government has said.


Rice demand drops are accelerating, reflecting a decrease in the population and a change in dietary habits in Japan.


Per capita consumption is estimated at 57 kilograms, down 0.6 kilogram, the agriculture ministry said Wednesday. The amount is three quarters of 75 kilograms for the 1996 rice.


The ministry gave 7.08 million to 7.17 million tons as a rough guide for 2020 production, considering that the private-sector stockpile is forecast to stand at 1.89 million tons at the end of June 2020, an appropriate level.


Demand and production of 2019 rice are both estimated at 7.27 million tons.


Japan scrapped its decades-old policy of reducing paddy acreage to curb production in fiscal 2018. Rice farmers use figures provided by the ministry to set their own production plans. Jiji Press