Aomori rice producer income faces record drop

Zen-Noh Aomori has announced a record decrease in the estimated producer income (gakasankin) for the 2026 rice crop. Due to rising rice inventories and falling market prices, the benchmark price for varieties such as ‘Masshigura’ and ‘Harewatari’ has been set at 13,800 yen per 60kg, a decrease of 16,200 yen from the previous year. The income for ‘Seiten no Hekireki’ is expected to be approximately 17,000 yen, down 17,000 yen from last year.

The organization noted that while these figures represent the largest drop on record, they remain among the top three highest amounts in the last decade. Factors contributing to the decline include high prices in the 2025 crop leading to stagnant consumption and increased inventories, alongside a healthy national production outlook.

In local commercial news, a new gift shop named ‘CORN KING’ is scheduled to open on September 17 in the Iwaki district of Hirosaki, Aomori. Operated by Sansei Shoji, the shop will specialize in the local ‘Dake-kimi’ corn variety, offering sweets such as corn ice cream and chocolate tarts to help revitalize the area.