Rice harvest forecast in Japan for 2026: the ministry has presented the data

According to the agency's report published on August 31, yield indicators across the country will be uneven. In five prefectures, a slight increase over last year's volumes is expected, in 20 regions the yield will remain at approximately the same level, and in 21 prefectures a slight decrease is forecast.

Experts note that despite an overall sufficient amount of sunlight in the period after sowing, in a number of areas during June and July the insolation level was lower than last year's values, which influenced the final forecasts. The ministry plans to use the obtained data to determine the volumes and timing for establishing state rice reserves.

In other crop production sectors, different trends are observed. In the village of Nakasatsunai in Hokkaido, harvesting of edamame has started. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, the crop is showing active growth, and farmers expect to harvest about 3000 tons of produce by mid-September.

Meanwhile, the industry is facing a number of challenges. Traditional vegetable crops grown in Tokyo are suffering from abnormal heat and a labor shortage. Farmers report poor seed emergence and the death of young seedlings due to extremely high summer temperatures. In addition, an acute shortage of Sudachi citrus, which provides 98% of the country's supply, has emerged in Tokushima Prefecture, which led to the first suspension of Asahi Ponzu sauce production in its 60-year history.