Cost-Cutting Products Emerge Amid Soaring Rice Prices
Noodle-Based Bento and Seaweed-Free Musubi Replace Rice Dishes
The Japanese retail industry has started tightening its belt in response to rising rice prices. Major retailers, including convenience stores and supermarkets, are working to cut costs by changing their existing product lineups and reducing ingredient expenses.
According to multiple Japanese media outlets on May 5, FamilyMart recently released a rice ball without seaweed, called "Musubi without seaweed." As of March, sales of regular musubi increased by 20% compared to the same month last year, but sales of musubi without seaweed surged by 40%, far outpacing the growth rate of regular musubi. Musubi without seaweed is priced between 138 and 140 yen, up to 60 yen cheaper than the conventional version. FamilyMart stated, "We reduced costs by mixing the filling with rice and omitting the seaweed." The company plans to increase the number of musubi without seaweed varieties to 10 within the year.
Supermarket chain CGC Group is developing bento meals that use udon or yakisoba instead of rice. The company is also considering making smaller rice balls or increasing the number of noodle-based products.
This trend appears to be due to the rise in rice prices. According to an announcement by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on April 28, the price of rice in Japan reached 4,220 yen (about 40,600 won) per 5 kilograms, marking a record high after rising for 16 consecutive weeks.
The surge in rice prices is attributed to both a supply shortage and higher purchase prices set by agricultural cooperatives (JA). As of the end of February, private-sector rice inventories stood at 2.05 million tons, a 16% decrease from the previous year. Although the government released rice from its reserves, supply through distribution channels remains insufficient. As competition for rice procurement intensifies, private wholesalers and retailers are also feeling the burden of higher rice prices. In previous years, purchase prices were set just before the harvest, but this year, price negotiations began even before rice planting started.
In response, Japan imported rice from South Korea in March. This was the first import of rice for food purposes since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Due to tariffs and shipping costs, South Korean rice is sold in Japan at 9,000 yen (about 90,000 won) per 10 kilograms. Despite the high price, an additional 2 tons of rice were sold out on April 10, and about 10 tons sold out on April 20.
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