12:46 - 26.08.2024
August 26, Fineko/abc.az. In recent weeks, Japan has been experiencing a shortage of rice in stores: shelves are often empty, and signs appear at counters asking customers to limit themselves to one bag per person.
ABC.AZ reports that there is currently a general shortage caused by several factors, including approaching concerns about an earthquake in the Nankai Trough. However, the current shortage is not a cause for concern, said Hiroshi Itakura, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture.
"Rice is a crop that is grown only once a year, and the main rice-producing regions begin harvesting new rice in September, so August is always the most scarce time of the year," Itakura said.
He added that for several years after the pandemic, there was an excess of rice, as fewer people ate out during the COVID-19 crisis. However, this year, the surplus has finally been exhausted, and demand has returned to its usual level.
