The crop pattern of this year's rice is expected to be "normal year" on average nationwide due to the favorable weather.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on the 14th the rice crop condition index for this year with an average year of 100, and as of the 25th of last month, the nationwide average is ``100'', which is expected to be ``the same as an average year''.
Looking at each region,
▽Hokkaido scored 106 as “good” and
▽Shikoku scored 103 as “somewhat good”, due to favorable weather conditions after the rice-planting season.
In addition,
▽Kinki and Chugoku were 101,
▽Tokai and Hokuriku were 100,
▽Tohoku and the Kanto region plus Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures, and Kyushu were 99, all of which were “normal”.
However, heavy rains and lack of sunshine have affected the crop pattern, with the number of rice paddies falling below average in some areas such as the Tohoku and Kanto regions.
In addition, the expected harvest of rice, which is the staple food of this year, is expected to be about 6.7 million tons, which is about 300,000 tons less than last year.
This is the first time since 2008, when rice production began to be announced, that it has fallen below 7 million tons.