JA in Hyogo Prefecture, which is the number one producer of sake rice in Japan, has reduced the production of its representative brand "Yamada Nishiki" by 25% from last year to the lowest ever, about 10,000 tons.
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, sake consumption is sluggish and agriculture is also affected.
Hyogo Prefecture has the highest production of sake rice, the raw material for sake, in Japan, and the representative brand "Yamada Nishiki" accounts for 60% of the total production in Japan.
Every year, JA Zen-Noh Hyogo forecasts the demand for "Yamada Nishiki" from interviews with the brewery association and makes a production plan, but in this recently organized plan, the production volume for one year is recorded. It turned out that it was the smallest, about 10,200 tons since 2000.
It is about 25% less than last year, and about 40% less than 2016, when the production volume increased due to the sake boom.
According to the Japan Sake Brewing Association Central Association, the consumption of sake has decreased due to the self-restraint of eating out due to the influence of the new corona, and the shipment volume from January to November last year has dropped by about 10% from the previous year. ..
JA Zen-Noh Hyogo says, "The influence of the corona has reduced the production of sake brewing companies, which is also affecting agriculture. We would like to support farmers so that they can maintain the rice fields and continue production."
Sake rice farmer "to such an impact"
Etsuji Fujita (65), a farmer who produces sake rice "Yamada Nishiki" in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, said, "There is nothing we can do if sake cannot be sold, but the influence of Corona will come to this point. It's a frank feeling. If you take a break from rice production, it will be difficult to plant the next year and it will become rough, so I will plant it, but I can not help it with individual efforts. I make good quality rice, not quantity. I think that is the mission given to us farmers. "