As rice prices surge in Japan, a government survey shows farms plan to expand acreage for the crop, which should alleviate supply concerns. But boosting the harvest needs more seeds and supply is getting stretched.

The agriculture ministry says the January survey shows 19 of Japan’s 47 prefectures plan to add to rice paddies this year. Nationwide, the acreage for table rice is forecast to grow 1.8 percent from last year to 1.28 million hectares.

The ministry says the harvest is likely to increase as much as 120,000 tons to about 6.9 million tons.

However, a major seed supplier in central Japan’s Toyama Prefecture says it is difficult to quickly boost deliveries. It says it is receiving more orders from farmers, but it can take years to create high-quality seeds fit for planting.

Inagaki Kimio, a farm policy expert at the Mitsubishi Research Institute, says increasing rice harvests takes time because of the need for seeds.

“Stabilizing rice supply will take more than a year or two,” he said. “We need a comprehensive reevaluation of how to maintain rice production for the medium to long term.”

Inagaki adds that overall the country needs a much bigger supply buffer to stabilize the market.

Published Date: March 25, 2025