Taiwan expects higher-than-usual rice exports to Japan in 2025

Taipei, June 25 (CNA) Taiwan could export up to 12,000 metric tons of rice to Japan this year, Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said Wednesday at the opening of the Taiwan Pavilion at the 2025 Taipei International Food Show.

Chen told reporters that Taiwan typically exports about 3,500 metric tons of rice to Japan annually, but that figure has already reached 8,700 metric tons this year, an increase likely driven by a rice shortage in Japan.

He projected that Taiwan would surpass 10,000 metric tons in total exports this year, possibly reaching as high as 12,000 metric tons.

Chen emphasized that Taiwan's strategy for the Japanese market is aimed at building stable, long-term trade relations and not merely responding to short-term demand.

To that end, he said, Taiwan has been engaging with Japanese distributors and promoting contract farming with Taiwanese growers to supply high-quality rice to Japan.

Taiwanese rice already enjoys a certain level of name recognition in Japan, Chen said, adding that high-end consumers are often willing to pay more, particularly for organic varieties.

At the event, Chen was present at the signing of two cooperation agreements between Taiwanese and Japanese enterprises and associations to supply agricultural products to Japanese markets.