「不足」から一転、岩手県内もコメ余り　民間在庫は過去最大　米穀店「赤字覚悟で売り切るしかない」 (26/07/07 21:45)

This is about the nationwide "rice surplus" that has occurred after the rice shortage of 2025. The amount of rice stockpiled by private businesses reached a record high of 2.23 million tons by the end of May 2026, more than 700,000 tons higher than in 2025. Rice stockpiles from Iwate Prefecture have also increased by 40,000 tons from 58,000 tons in 2025. (According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) Rice retailers in Iwate Prefecture are crying out, "We have no choice but to sell off our remaining stock, even at a loss." Mountains of rice bags are piled up. At the warehouse of Yoshida Rice Store in Morioka City, approximately 150 tons of the 300 tons of brown rice purchased in 2025 still remain. Yoshida Rice Store President Keiichi Yoshida "About half remains. Normally, three-quarters should have been gone by now." In the autumn of 2025, when rice prices soared due to a poor harvest in 2024 and increased demand, Yoshida Rice Store purchased brown rice at a high price of approximately 33,000 yen per 60kg in an attempt to secure new rice. However, in 2025, the nationwide rice harvest was high, and the government released its stockpiled rice, increasing the amount of rice circulating in the market. The decline in rice consumption due to soaring prices also hit hard, resulting in a large inventory. Yoshida Rice Store President Keiichi Yoshida "Consumers are eating less, and we want to reduce our inventory as much as possible, so we're selling it cheaply, but most businesses are struggling with large inventories." This is a rice vending machine installed by Yoshida Rice Store in the city. The store offers varieties such as "Hitomebore" and blended rice, with some items priced under 3,000 yen for 5kg, demonstrating a significant price reduction that disregards profit. Keiichi Yoshida, President of Yoshida Rice Store: "Last autumn, our premium rice was around 4,300 yen. Now, some have been reduced by about 1,000 yen. This is a complete loss, but we want to sell it all." However, despite these efforts, the situation has not improved, and they are considering further price reductions. Keiichi Yoshida, President of Yoshida Rice Store: "At our level, this amounts to tens of millions of yen (in losses), which is quite tough, but we want to get through this year." The prefecture has also expressed concern about the "rice surplus." On July 3rd, Governor Tasso pointed out concerns about a shortage of rice storage space within the prefecture, and fears of price drops during the upcoming new rice season. He presented the following proposal: Governor Tasso: "If the government would buy up the rice from their current stockpiles to use as reserve rice, these two problems would be resolved, so I hope they will do that." The situation will become even more difficult in the fall. Those involved in the rice industry are growing increasingly anxious.