Japan's rice production for 2024 is expected to reach 6.83 million tons, exceeding the estimated demand for the year through next June of 6.74 million tons, the farm ministry said Wednesday.Private-sector rice inventories are projected to improve to 1.62 million tons by the end of June 2025 from an all-time low of 1.53 million tons a year earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said, boding well for the recent supply shortages and price surge caused by extreme summer heat that reduced the previous season's harvest.But the price of rice, a staple food, may remain relativ…READ FULL ARTICLE
