Lawson Cuts Onigiri Prices by ¥10 as Japan Rice Costs Ease 28%
Updated
Updated · The Japan Times · Aug 24
Lawson Cuts Onigiri Prices by ¥10 as Japan Rice Costs Ease 28%
3 articles · Updated · The Japan Times · Aug 24
Summary
Sept. 29 is when Lawson will lower prices on most hand-wrapped onigiri by ¥10, betting cheaper rice procurement will let it pass savings to shoppers.
A 28% drop in the average supermarket price of a 5-kilogram bag from January's peak has signaled the market is easing after last year's shortage-driven surge.
2.43 million metric tons of private brown-rice inventories at end-June marked Japan's highest midyear level since 2009, underscoring improving supply.
Last year's shortage had pushed shops and restaurants to raise prices and forced the government to release stockpiles, making Lawson's cut an early sign of relief for consumers.