It’s starting to feel like it’s been a while since there was some really good news in the sake world. Lately it seems to be all doom and gloom; rice prices up, volume down, the sky is falling! Blah, blah, blah…
We need to turn those frowns upside down!
A recent evening in a local sake bar listening to drinkers discuss a whole bunch of worst case scenarios seemed to highlight how far some have fallen from the “joy of sake” – no intended reference to the annual event of the same name.
While we all might be feeling some anxiety and unrest regarding the future of sake in light of rice prices and volume shortages, it is still far too early to be preparing a eulogy for the sake industry.
Yes, let’s watch and follow with vested interest, but never lose sight of the big picture that is “enjoying sake”. Have that second glass, share some with a friend and above all else, enjoy!
And now for the news…
Kanagawa- The soaring price of rice continues to raise much concern among breweries across Japan and it seems just everyday the press is filled with different takes on how to manage the issue.
In Kanagawa Prefecture breweries have voiced their uncertainty regarding how much and at what price they will be able to obtain this autumn’s harvest, with more breweries considering using table rice or venturing into or increasing their own sake rice production.
“We have no choice but to rely on Nagano and Niigata for our raw materials. Prices have increased by as much as 50%, with the more expensive materials having doubled,” said Yusuke Shiino, president of Kaneii Shuzō.
With the recent rise in table rice prices, the price of sake rice is also rising to prevent sake rice farmers from switching. Shiino drew the common conclusion that if the number of sake rice farmers decreases, sake production will be more problematic and the number of sake breweries may decrease. The impact is also being felt on glutinous rice.
However the issue goes beyond the price. Even for breweries that are able to pony up the cash to pay the inflated prices for rice, in many cases there’s no guarantee that they’ll receive the kind of volume they’re looking for.
Koganei Yasumi, president of Koganei Sake Brewery and chairman of the prefecture’s sake brewers’ association, lamented, “We are still only receiving vague information from the agricultural cooperative. We don’t know what kind of rice we can purchase, how much, or at what price.”
President Koganei explained that most sake breweries purchase rice from agricultural cooperatives through the prefectural sake brewery association. Around November of the previous year, the sake brewery association surveys each sake brewery to determine how much and what varieties of rice to purchase for the following autumn harvest, and conducts a final survey in April. Based on the survey, the association adjusts purchases from the agricultural cooperative. However, this year, no clear figures have been received from the agricultural cooperative.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ planting intentions announced in April, the 2025 crop of rice for processing is set at 44,000 hectares, down 12% from the previous year.
President Koganei believes that if rice prices continue to remain high, the company will have no choice but to raise the selling price of sake as well, and said, “I hope the government will consider providing subsidies to farmers who produce sake rice.”
Source – Yahoo
JG: This gives readers a better snapshot of the reality than just about any article out there, thus far. Of particular concern – and well described above – is the uncertainty of the situation. And that applies to both price and supply. It is all but impossible for brewers to plan for the upcoming brewing season under these circumstances. Let us hope for, first, clarity, and then resolution on several levels.
金井酒造店（白笹鼓）, 黄金井酒造(盛升）
Niigata- Meanwhile in Niigata Shunji Odaira, chairman of the Prefectural Sake Brewers Association, met with Governor Hideyo Hanazumi on July 16 to call for support for farmers and sake breweries. Odaira cited growing concerns about securing sake rice volume and rising prices. Specifically, the association requested subsidies for breweries’ rice purchasing costs, the creation of a system to ensure that the price of sake rice is higher than that of table rice, and financial support for breweries. As the prefecture with the highest number of sake breweries in the country, one would expect Niigata Prefecture to lead the way when it comes to brewery support, however no commitments have yet been made.
Source – Newsdig
JG: Wow, in all seriousness and sincerity, those are some big requests. Financial support is big enough, but ensuring sake rice stays more expensive than table rice will surely be hard. Having said that, it seems on the surface to hold potential as a solution, but I find it hard to believe that everyone would be in agreement on that.
Tokyo- On a slightly more positive note, on July 14, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced that the government will create a new support program for rice used in sake production. The aim is to help breweries secure a stable supply of brewing rice.
