A local agricultural cooperative that sells branded rice in northern Hyogo Prefecture has decided to start exporting to France.
We would like to promote environmentally friendly cultivation methods and capture local needs that are highly interested in environmental issues.
The brand rice "Stork-nurturing rice" in the Tajima area in the northern part of Hyogo prefecture is made with as little pesticides as possible in order to cooperate with activities to promote the return of storks to the wild, which is a national special natural monument.
The local "JA Tajima" exports this rice to six countries around the world, including the United States and the UAE = United Arab Emirates, but it turns out that it will start exporting to France with the aim of expanding sales channels to Europe. I did.
It is planned to transport about 100 kg to Marseille in southern France by the end of this month and wholesale it to retail stores that handle Japanese ingredients.
This brand of rice is sold at about 1.5 times the price of locally produced Koshihikari rice, but it has become popular due to word of mouth because of its environmentally friendly cultivation method and the image of a "stork" that is said to bring good luck. , It means that sales through the Internet are increasing even though the influence of the new Corona is spreading.
Mr. Masahito Shiomi, Chief of JA Tajima Rice Grain Division, said, "Because the consumption of the new corona is declining all over the world, we want people all over the world to sympathize with the farming method that protects storks and leads to nature conservation, and expand the circle. I want to go. "