随意ずいい契約けいやくの備蓄びちく米まい 令りょう和わ3年産ねんさん約やく12万まんトン きょうから受け付うけつけ

Regarding the sale of stockpiled rice through negotiated contracts, applications for approximately 120,000 tons of rice harvested in 2021 will begin to be accepted from the 11th.

There are still regions where the stockpiled rice from negotiated contracts has not yet begun to be sold in stores, so the focus will be on whether this additional release can help distribute it widely and stably.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi announced on the 10th that an additional 200,000 tons of stockpiled rice—100,000 tons from the 2021 harvest and 100,000 tons from the 2020 harvest—will be released through negotiated contracts.

The acceptance of purchase applications for the 2021 crop will begin on the 11th.

The subject of this sale is approximately 120,000 tons, including the portion that did not find buyers in previous releases.

Applications will be accepted not only from small and medium-sized retailers handling between 1,000 and 10,000 tons per year, but also from large retailers handling over 10,000 tons per year, whose applications had been suspended, as well as rice dealers with rice milling facilities.

For the application, the condition is that the product must be sold to consumers by August, and there is no limit to the amount that can be applied for.

For the 2020 crop, applications will begin to be accepted after the applications for the 2021 crop reach the planned quota.

Major supermarkets and convenience stores say they want to focus first on selling the stockpiled rice they have already purchased, and some are cautious about making additional purchases at this time.

On the other hand, since there are still regions where reserve rice from negotiated contracts has not yet begun to be sold in stores, the key issue will be whether this additional release can ensure wide and stable distribution.

In addition, Minister Koizumi revealed to reporters on the 10th that the government is considering measures to legally prohibit the resale of stockpiled rice.

They are aiming for a Cabinet decision within this week.

Minister Koizumi stated, In cases such as reselling stockpiled rice obtained through discretionary contracts at high prices, violators may be subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to one million yen.

He said, It is because we want to firmly provide stockpiled rice to those who need it.