Japan’s private-sector rice shares totaled 1.56 million metric tons on the finish of June, the bottom since information started in 1999, a preliminary agriculture ministry report exhibits.
The rice shares shrank by 410,000 metric tons from a yr earlier than, reflecting sluggish rice manufacturing final yr on account of scorching warmth, a surge in demand from overseas vacationers and a rise in consumption as rice costs rose extra slowly than these of bread and noodles.
The newest determine, launched Tuesday, was 210,000 metric tons decrease than the 1.77 million metric tons estimated in March.
