Due to the tightening situation in Ukraine, various influences are spreading in Japan as well.
Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka Concerned about soaring raw materials
As Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues, the price of wheat soars in the future market due to caution about supply stagnation from Ukraine and Russia, which are the world's leading exporters of wheat, and concerns are raised at okonomiyaki shops in Osaka. There is a voice to do.
Japan imports wheat from the United States and Australia, but there are concerns about further price increases as the price has continued to rise due to the decrease in production in North America due to high temperatures and the rise in transportation costs. Is coming out.
Of these, the okonomiyaki restaurant in Tennoji Ward, Osaka, uses about 6 kg of domestic and foreign wheat flour a day on many days.
The operating company of this okonomiyaki restaurant has 80 stores nationwide, but in response to the recent rise in prices of raw materials such as flour and oil, consider reviewing prices and menus after spring. I was doing it.
However, if the transaction price of wheat flour rises further in the future, even if the price is raised once, the cost cannot be absorbed and management may be under pressure.
Ryosuke Gokage, the operator of Osaka's okonomiyaki chain "Tsuruhashi Fugetsu," said, "At present, the prices of major items such as wheat flour are rising by 10% to 20%. I'm worried about that. I want to think about the content and price of products that will satisfy and satisfy our customers. "
Flower farmers in Shiga prefecture
Due to the tightening situation in Ukraine, there are concerns about further increases in crude oil prices, and farmers in Shiga Prefecture are worried about the increase in fuel prices used for house cultivation.
According to the Petroleum Information Center, which is commissioned by the government to investigate gasoline prices, heavy oil for agriculture in the Kinki region had already reached a high for the first time in eight years in January, but the situation in Ukraine has become tense. Crude oil futures prices have risen sharply in Japan, and there are concerns that prices will rise further in the future.
Farmers cultivating kochoran in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, use heaters to keep the room temperature of agricultural houses above 18 degrees Celsius, but the price of heavy fuel oil is nearly 1.5 times that of the same period last year. It means that the price is rising.
In addition, the delivery company has notified the price increase due to the soaring gasoline price, and the price of corrugated cardboard and other materials used for shipping has also increased by about 10%, which is affecting management.
Mr. Tadashi Kawaguchi, a farmer, said, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought the crude oil price to another level, and if the price including materials rises further, management will become difficult. I want to go. "
Dairy farmers in Hokkaido
Following the invasion of Ukraine, one of the world's leading grain exporters, dairy farmers in Shibecha Town, eastern Hokkaido, are worried about further increases in the price of corn, which feeds cattle.
Approximately 50,000 dairy cows are bred in Shibecha Town, where dairy farming is thriving, and the production of raw milk in the last year was approximately 177,000 tons.
According to the Agricultural Cooperative, most of the feed such as corn that feeds cattle depends on imports, and there is a concern that international prices will rise further if supply from Ukraine, the world's leading exporter of corn, is stagnant. ..
Shigemitsu Suzuki, the union leader of the agricultural cooperative, feeds about 2 tons a day at the ranch, and the monthly food cost is about 4 million yen.
The next purchase of feed grain is next month, and I'm worried that further increases in international prices could affect ranch operations.
Some local farmers are moving to self-sufficient corn instead of relying solely on imports, but this is not progressing due to the high cost.
Mr. Suzuki said, "If the price of feed continues to rise, it will be quite severe. It will be severe both double and triple while the production of raw milk is restrained. I hope that the situation will be settled." rice field.