Surge in Japanese Rice Prices, Taiwanese Rice Becomes a Savior
Japanese rice prices have surged by over 92% due to rice shortage. The Japanese government has introduced various types of foreign rice, especially Taiwanese rice, which has become extremely popular among consumers and often sells out in supermarkets. Four popular Taiwanese rice varieties include: むすびの郷, 彩花米, 天と大地の贈り物, and other unnamed Taiwanese rice.
「むすびの郷」 debuted at a price of 2,590 yen in the Kanto Seiyu supermarkets, featuring over 600 pesticide residue tests to ensure safety. Its fluffy texture is comparable to Japanese domestic rice, and it is approximately 20% cheaper. The second variety, 「彩花米」, is also sold as a blend and attracts attention in trading. Lastly, 「天と大地の贈り物」 is priced between 3,110 and 3,280 yen and is similar to the short grain rice found in Japan.
