Paddy Field Cropping in 2026
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries compiled paddy field cropping figures as of September 15, 2026. The area planted with staple rice was about the same as in 2025, when it reached its highest level in recent years, while areas planted with feed rice, wheat and barley, soybeans, and other crops declined. Areas planted with rice for processing, rice for new market development, and rice for rice flour increased only slightly, leaving non-staple rice and other crops at a low cropping level.
Key points
- The area planted with staple rice was about the same as in 2025, when it reached its highest level in recent years.
- Areas planted with feed rice, wheat and barley, soybeans, and other crops declined.
- Cropping levels for non-staple rice and other crops remain low.
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries compiled and published paddy field cropping figures for the 2026 crop year. The figures cover conditions as of September 15, 2026, including cropping of staple rice, reserve rice, and strategic crops.
Impact
Areas planted with feed rice, wheat and barley, soybeans, and other crops were extremely small in recent years. Areas planted with rice for processing, rice for new market development, and rice for rice flour increased only slightly from the 2025 crop year. In light of these conditions, cropping levels for non-staple rice and other crops are considered low.
Details
Reserve rice was not planted in the comparison year, the 2025 crop year. In 2026 paddy field cropping, areas planted with feed rice, wheat and barley, soybeans, and other crops declined, while the area planted with staple rice was about the same as in the previous year, which had been at a high level in recent years.
Detailed national figures and prefecture-level cropping conditions are provided in the attached materials. A separate item also presents cropping conditions by regional agricultural revitalization council as of September 15, 2026.