Rice Distribution Trends in July 2026

Based on reports from rice shippers, sellers, organizations, and others, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries compiled a preliminary summary of collection and sales by production area for rice produced in 2025, trends in private inventories, and sales volumes and prices reported by rice-selling businesses. The reference points are the end of July 2026 for collection, sales, and private inventories, and July 2026 for sales volumes and prices.

This information is provided as part of efforts to create an environment in which producers and collection operators and organizations can consider proactive management decisions and sales strategies aimed at rice production aligned with demand.

At the end of July 2026, national collection by shippers totaled 2.695 million brown rice tonnes, an increase of 263,000 brown rice tonnes from the same month a year earlier; contracted volume was 2.606 million brown rice tonnes, up 149,000 brown rice tonnes; and sales volume was 1.706 million brown rice tonnes, down 234,000 brown rice tonnes. Private inventories totaled 1.62 million brown rice tonnes, comprising 1.17 million brown rice tonnes at the shipping stage and 450,000 brown rice tonnes at the sales stage. Compared with the same month a year earlier, these figures increased by 700,000, 570,000, and 130,000 brown rice tonnes, respectively. Sales volume in July 2026 was 97.9% of the level in the same month a year earlier, including 101.0% for retailers and 93.9% for prepared-food, food-service businesses, and others. Sales prices were 101.0% for retailers and 112.6% for prepared-food, food-service businesses, and others.