Top Rice News: Indonesia’s Rice Reserves Boost & Japan Rice Prices Fell

Top Rice News Today highlights Indonesia boost rice reserves and irrigation efforts ahead of El Niño drought, but the authorities also forecasted the dry season that will peak in August. Japan’s rice prices finally dropped in the month of May for the first time in three and a half years, following a sharp rise in prices that placed significant pressure on the govt. and affected consumers in the country.

Indonesia Strengthens Rice Reserves and Irrigation Efforts Ahead of El Niño Drought

On Wednesday, June 17, the Indonesian agricultural ministry said that Indonesia is increasing measures to protect food production from an expected weather pattern of El Niño, which drives drought. Not only this, but authorities also forecasted the dry season that will peak in August. Moreover, Agriculture ministry secretary-general Suwandi stated that authorities are coordinating with regional governments to implement early-warning systems and drought mitigation measures, such as irrigation network repairs, water resource mapping, pump deployment, and weather modification operations. Even the government plans to install pumps capable of irrigating an additional 1 million hectares of farmland by the end of July, bringing total irrigated coverage to around 3 million hectares nationwide, along with encouraging farmers to use drought-tolerant crop varieties, adjust planting schedules and join agricultural insurance programs. In addition, the country has also built up rice reserves, with stocks held by the state logistics agency, Bulog, reaching a record 5.3 million tonnes.

Japan’s Rice Prices Decline for First Time in 3.5 Years Amid Govt. Market Intervention

Officials said on Friday that rice prices in Japan finally dropped in the month of May for the first time in three and a half years, following a sharp price increase that placed significant pressure on the govt. and affected consumers in the country. Notably, Rice prices skyrocketed in 2024 and 2025 due to supply problems associated with hot weather and panic-buying after a megaquake warning in 2024, amongst other factors. The rising cost of the staple food added to public concerns over falling living standards and corruption scandals, which led to voters deserting the ruling party and the resignation in September of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after less than a year. Additionally, rice prices excluding luxury brand Koshihikari were 5.4% lower in May than a year earlier, marking the first annual drop since November 2022. Moreover, the government, now headed by the popular Sanae Takaichi, took various measures to bring rice prices down, such as releasing emergency stockpiles of the grain. It has been proven that authorities are continuing efforts to improve market stability and ensure affordable access to staple food for consumers.