"Half-Price Stockpiled Rice" in High Demand: Convenience Stores in Japan Begin Selling 2kg for Around 7,000 Won

Convenience Stores Begin Selling Stockpiled Rice After Supermarkets and Online Retailers
Available at FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson
1kg and 2kg Packages Offered... Expected to Attract Elderly and Single-Person Households

In response to rice prices doubling over the past year, the Japanese government will make "half-price stockpiled rice," released through negotiated contracts, available not only at large supermarkets and online shopping malls but also at convenience stores.

On June 4, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, "Convenience stores plan to sell rice in smaller portions of 1kg and 2kg, which is expected to encourage more consumers to make purchases."

Stockpiled rice to be displayed at Ito Yokado grocery stores, a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings located in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters Yonhap News.

FamilyMart, which procured 1,000 tons through negotiated contracts, will begin sales at select stores in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6. The rice will be sold in 1kg packages for 388 yen (tax included, approximately 3,708 won). Nationwide sales through all stores are planned within this month.

Lawson and 7-Eleven have each secured 500 tons. Lawson will begin selling as early as this week, offering 1kg for 389 yen (approximately 3,715 won) and 2kg for 758 yen (approximately 7,239 won). 7-Eleven plans to sell 2kg packages for around 800 yen (approximately 7,642 won) as soon as the stockpiled rice becomes available.

Reserved rice to be stocked at Ito Yokado grocery stores, a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings located in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters Yonhap News.

According to the report, each convenience store chain had previously applied to purchase stockpiled rice intended for large retailers but was unsuccessful due to not meeting the requirements. As a result, they secured stockpiled rice through negotiated contracts targeting small and medium-sized retailers.

NHK noted, "There is high demand for 'smaller quantities of rice' among elderly consumers and single-person households. With the three major convenience store chains operating more than 50,000 locations nationwide now selling stockpiled rice, increased consumer purchases are expected."

Meanwhile, major supermarkets in Japan began selling stockpiled rice on May 31. NHK reported, "The large supermarket Ito Yokado started selling 500 bags of 5kg stockpiled rice at its Omori branch in Ota Ward, Tokyo, around 10 a.m. There was a limit of one bag per family, but all bags sold out in about 30 minutes." The rice, produced in 2022, was priced at 2,160 yen (approximately 20,700 won).