As we slide into September and autumn (officially starting on the 9th) it would be nice if we could say the weather has cooled, but alas, that would be a lie.
The change of seasons also means we are just one month away from the beginning of the new brewing season – for most, but not all breweries.
The sake cycle continues!
And now for the news…
Saga– On August 4, the Saga Prefectural Sake Brewers Association formally petitioned Governor Yamaguchi for urgent support amid soaring sake rice prices. Sake rice is traditionally more expensive than table rice due to lower yields and cultivation challenges, but with staple rice prices climbing, next year’s sake rice could rise a further 30-45%.
The association is requesting subsidies to help breweries purchase sake rice for the 2025 harvest and also assistance for producers cultivating sake rice.
Governor Yamaguchi indicated that the prefecture will present “clear policies by the appropriate time for next year’s harvest.”
Chairman Baba Daiichiro added, “We may be forced to raise sake prices in the future, but we will continue striving to make sake worthy of that increase. We ask for your continued support.”
