Surging Rice Exports as Japanese Prices Soar: From 0t to 550t [Why&Next]

Japanese Tourists' "Korean Rice Shopping" Surges from 1.3t to 61.4t
Annual Korean Rice Exports to Japan Expected to Reach 1,000 Tons This Year
Korean Retail Prices at Only 42% of Japanese Levels
"Promotional Efforts for Korean Rice to Be St

Korean rice exports to Japan, which had not shipped a single grain last year, have surged this year. From January to September 2025, 550 tons were exported, and if the "Korean rice shopping" by Japanese tourists is included, the actual volume of Korean rice reaching Japan is estimated to be even higher. The export route, previously unviable due to tariffs and transportation costs, opened up as rice shortages in Japan caused prices to soar.

According to agri-food export data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on October 24, exports of non-glutinous rice to Japan reached 550.7 tons from January to September this year. Last year, the export volume was zero.

The reason Korean rice could be exported to Japan this year is due to a shortage in the local Japanese rice supply. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute, rice prices in Japan have risen sharply since last year. The Japanese government analyzed that the surge in rice prices was caused by "problems in rice supply and demand due to record-breaking heatwaves in the summer of 2023." Lim Junhyuk, a senior researcher at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, explained, "The sharp rise in Japanese rice prices was the result of various factors, including decreased production due to abnormal weather, increased demand from domestic consumption and foreign tourists, and issues in distribution and logistics." He added, "With a decrease in the 2023 rice harvest and rising international wheat prices leading to some bread consumption being replaced by rice, as well as increased rice consumption in the restaurant and hotel industries due to more tourists visiting Japan, rice demand in 2024 exceeded expectations, causing private rice inventories to drop significantly."

Although Japanese rice prices have recently fallen slightly, they remain at high levels. According to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the average price at supermarkets nationwide for the week of October 6-12 was 4,142 yen (about 39,003 won) per 5 kg, down 1.5% (63 yen) from the previous week. However, this is still 22.7% (767 yen) higher than the same period last year (3,375 yen). The price per 20 kg rose by 3,068 yen (about 28,882 won) over the past year to 16,568 yen (about 156,011 won).

Korean retail rice prices have also been rising, but are still only about 42% of the price in Japan. As of October 22, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation reported a retail price of 65,756 won per 20 kg, which is 90,255 won lower than the retail price in Japan.

With the significant price gap between rice in Japan and Korea, not only exports but also individual purchases of Korean rice by Japanese travelers have increased sharply. Since October 2018, Japan has required a phytosanitary export certificate for rice brought in by travelers. To bring rice purchased in Korea to Japan, travelers must obtain a quarantine certificate from a regional office or branch of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency located at airports or ports. According to the agency, from January 1 to October 15 this year, the volume of Korean white rice carried to Japan and certified for export reached 61,391 kg, more than 45 times the total volume certified in all of last year (1,310 kg). Despite the inconvenience of carrying heavy rice, Japanese tourists are engaging in "Korean rice shopping" due to the unprecedented surge in rice prices.

Rice exports are expected to continue for the time being. Currently, exports to Japan are being led by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup). A Nonghyup official stated, "531 tons of Nonghyup rice have been exported to Japan from January to October 16 this year. An additional 369 tons are scheduled for export by the end of the year, bringing the total to 900 tons for 2025 alone." If the volume of hand-carried rice (61.4 tons from January to September) is added, the total amount of Korean rice reaching Japan will approach 1,000 tons.

The key to further exports is securing price competitiveness. To protect its domestic rice market, Japan imposes a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram on foreign rice. When exporting a 20 kg bag of rice, which wholesales for about 61,000 won, a tariff of 6,820 yen (about 64,216 won) is applied. A rice distribution industry official explained, "Although it may vary by company, when tariffs, transportation costs, and distribution margins are added to the Korean rice wholesale price, price competitiveness is still low, so exporting rice to Japan does not yield significant profits. Given that the perception that 'Japanese rice is the best' remains strong in Japan, current exports are more about pioneering the market and promoting Korean rice."

The government plans to first raise awareness of Korean rice by strengthening promotions targeting Japanese tourists visiting Korea. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "Rice prices in Japan remain high, and this trend is expected to continue for the time being, which will positively affect the expansion of Korean rice exports. We plan to hold various promotional events to allow Japanese tourists visiting Korea to taste Korean rice."