備蓄びちく米まい 随意ずいい契約けいやくでの売り渡うりわたし 農水省のうすいしょう きょう詳細しょうさいを公表こうひょう

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to officially announce the details of the sale of reserve rice through negotiated contracts on the 26th and begin accepting applications from businesses.

A new team will also be established within the ministry to address the surge in rice prices, and the main focus will be whether the stockpiled rice can quickly reach consumers at the target price of 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Koizumi appeared on an NHK program on the 23rd and announced that, regarding future releases of reserve rice through negotiated contracts, he intends to set the selling price so that even if distribution costs are added, the retail price will be 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms.

In addition, Minister Koizumi stated that the initial amount to be released would be 300,000 tons, but if there is further demand, there will be no limit on the release. He also revealed that the target will be major retailers, there will be no conditions for buyback, and the government is considering covering the transportation costs.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced details regarding such discretionary contracts for sales on the 26th, and will begin accepting applications from interested businesses.

On the 26th, the ministry also plans to establish a new team of several dozen members to address the sharp rise in rice prices, thereby strengthening its countermeasures.

Furthermore, coordination is underway within the government to hold a meeting of relevant cabinet ministers in order to consider agricultural policy from a more medium- to long-term perspective.

Some business owners who run retail stores have said things like, If they start accepting discretionary contracts, I want to apply right away. The key point going forward will be whether the stockpiled rice can quickly reach consumers at the target price.