Japan retailer Aeon to sell 'Karoyaka' California-grown rice amid high domestic prices
According to Aeon, a 4-kilogram bag will be sold for 2,680 yen (approx. $18.20) before tax. The company's Executive Vice President Mitsuko Tsuchiya stated, "We want to ensure the product reaches those in need even as rice prices remain high."
The rice will be made exclusively from the Calrose variety -- a medium-grain Japonica rice grown in the United States. The company plans to focus sales on urban areas, where rice shortages are more pronounced, distributing a total of 14,000 metric tons. Sales are reportedly set to continue for about three months, covering the summer period when supply typically tightens.
Calrose is firmer than domestically produced rice, making it well-suited to dishes like fried rice or risotto. For standard steaming, Aeon recommends using 1.2 to 1.5 times more water than for Japanese rice. The retailer aims to position the offering not as a substitute for domestic rice, but as a new choice.
Addressing the rice shortages that have continued since last summer, Aeon introduced a separate product in April blending domestic rice with imported U.S. rice, brought in under the "minimum access" (MA) tariff-free quota set by the Japanese government. Following strong demand for this blended product, Aeon decided to import Calrose rice outside the MA quota and develop it into a new product.
According to a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries survey, the nationwide average price of rice sold in supermarkets between April 28 and May 4 was 4,214 yen (roughly $28.60) per 5 kg including tax. While this marked the first decline in 18 weeks, "Karoyaka" will retail for the equivalent of 3,618 yen (around $24.60) per 5 kg including tax, making it a competitively priced option for the time being.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass commented at the product's unveiling ceremony, "At a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers. Food security is as important as energy security. This announcement reinforces America's role as a reliable and trusted supplier of quality ingredients and food."
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