コメの輸入ゆにゅう量りょうが急きゅう拡大かくだい 高たかい関税かんぜいでも採算さいさんが見込みこめると判断はんだんか

As rice prices continue to soar, imports of rice subject to high tariffs outside the minimum access quota—which mandates duty-free imports—are increasing.

In April of this year, it exceeded 6,800 tons, which is more than twice the total amount for the entire previous fiscal year in just one month.

Japan is required to import approximately 770,000 tons of rice annually under minimum access with no tariffs, while rice imported outside this quota is subject to a high tariff of 341 yen per kilogram.

According to the trade statistics of the Ministry of Finance, the import volume outside of this quota had been around 700 to 800 tons per year in recent years, but last fiscal year it reached 3,004 tons, the highest since fiscal 1999.

Furthermore, imports have rapidly increased, reaching 1,280 tons in March this year and 6,838 tons in April, which is more than double the total imports for the entire previous year in just one month.

In the case of imports outside the quota, the sources had previously been diversified among countries such as Thailand, the United States, Pakistan, Vietnam, and India, but in April, about 80% of imports came from the United States.

The increase in rice imports outside the minimum access quota is believed to be because trading companies and other businesses judged that, given the surge in rice prices, imports would still be profitable even with high tariffs.

Stockpiled rice is being released into the market, and depending on future rice price trends, there may be changes in import activity.

Expert: “The rapid increase in imported rice is a temporary trend.” Kimio Inagaki, Executive Research Director at Mitsubishi Research Institute and an expert on rice policy and distribution, commented on the sharp rise in imports outside of the minimum access quota: “Even with tariffs, the situation where imported rice can be sold cheaper than domestically produced rice has continued for over half a year, which has led to an increase in imports.”

On top of that, even with tariffs and distribution costs added, imported rice outside the quota is believed to be sold at around 3,500 yen per 5 kilograms.

Executive Director Inagaki said, The tariff of 341 yen per kilogram was supposed to be set at a level where rice couldnt be sold in the domestic market, but the fact that domestic rice prices are even higher than that is an abnormal situation.

Regarding the outlook for the future, considering that reserve rice will be released into the market and that tenders for rice imported as staple food under minimum access are being held earlier than usual, information has begun to emerge suggesting an oversupply and a downward trend in rice prices.

From now on, it may not be feasible to import rice with a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram, so it is likely that private imports will not increase that much. Therefore, he indicated that the sharp increase in imported rice is expected to be a temporary trend.

On top of that, regarding the stable supply of rice: “This year’s main rice crop is expected to be 7.19 million tons, but this amount is not enough to cover both general demand and the shortage of stockpiled rice. To stabilize rice prices, it is necessary to look ahead to the 2026 crop.”

He said, It is important to take measures to support farmers.