小泉こいずみ農相のうしょう “備蓄びちく米まい 購入こうにゅう申請しんせいは19事業じぎょう者しゃ 29日にちにも引き渡ひきわたしへ”

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi revealed at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting on the 27th that, regarding the sale of government stockpiled rice through negotiated contracts, 19 businesses had applied to purchase it by 9 a.m. on the 27th.

They expect to complete the contract on the 27th or 28th, and if things go smoothly, to deliver the stockpiled rice as early as the 29th.

[Video 14 minutes 8 seconds] Minister of Agriculture, Koizumi, Full Press Conference Uncut On the 26th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced details regarding the sale of reserve rice through negotiated contracts. They revealed that a total of 300,000 tons harvested in 2021 and 2022 would be released to major retailers, and applications from interested businesses to purchase the rice have begun.

Regarding this, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi revealed at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th that by 9 a.m. on the 27th, 19 businesses had applied to make purchases.

The amount applied for is about 90,824 tons, which is around 30% of the planned discharge amount.

On top of that, he stated, We are currently proceeding with the necessary procedures promptly, and with some businesses, we expect to complete discretionary contracts as early as today or tomorrow, and to deliver the reserve rice the day after tomorrow, making it likely that the rice will be on store shelves by the first week of June. He indicated that the reserve rice could be delivered to businesses as early as the 29th.

On the other hand, I think more major retailers will step forward in the future, but the next thing we need to do is figure out how to deliver carefully to local rice shops and small supermarkets.

I am considering changing the form of the discretionary contract without waiting for a week, he said, indicating his intention to flexibly review the method of discretionary contracts.

Minister Koizumi: Contract work for businesses can be done without taking much time. On the morning of the 27th, when Minister Koizumi arrived at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, he commented on the timing of contracts for reserve rice through discretionary contracts, saying, The person in charge is working with a sense of speed right now, so I think the contract work for the businesses that applied yesterday can be done without taking much time.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on its website the 19 companies that applied to purchase stockpiled rice through negotiated contracts by 9:00 a.m. on the 27th.

The companies that applied for the purchase are as follows: Pan Pacific International Holdings, which operates major discount stores such as Don Quijote, with 15,000 tons; major drugstore chain Sundrug with 12,866 tons; supermarket OK with 10,500 tons; Iris Agri Innovation, a group company of major household goods manufacturer Iris Ohyama, with 1 ton; and Rakuten Group with 10,000 tons, among others, totaling 90,824 tons.

FamilyMart, a major convenience store chain, has announced that it will apply to sell stockpiled rice obtained through discretionary contracts at a price of 400 yen per kilogram in small portions, aiming to begin in-store sales in early June.

According to the company, they plan to sell the product in 1-kilogram portions, with a price of 400 yen excluding tax.

The price per 5 kilograms is approximately 2,000 yen.

Aeon, a major distributor, announced its policy to procure approximately 20,000 tons through a negotiated contract and gradually start selling it at stores nationwide from early June.