- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,903
Aeon has announced it will begin selling lower-cost rice imported from California at stores nationwide in response to the continued rise in domestic rice prices, which remain roughly twice as high as a year ago.
Calrose rice from California to be sold under the Karoyaka brand (photo credit: Ito Sho)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass described the move as "historic" during a launch event held at his official residence in Tokyo on 13 May. He noted that it marks the first time Japan's largest supermarket chain will offer Calrose rice, grown entirely in the United States, on a national scale. According to Aeon representatives, the company will retail a 4-kilogram bag of its Karoyaka brand rice for 2,894 yen (about $20, tax included), approximately 15% below the national average. The retailer plans to distribute around 14,000 tons, focusing primarily on urban centres facing rice shortages. Sales will be introduced gradually, beginning on 6 June.
The Karoyaka rice is cheaper than domestic varieties despite a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram. Aeon decided to sell bags of 100% U.S. rice following strong sales of its Japanese-U.S. blended rice introduced in April.
Calrose rice from California to be sold under the Karoyaka brand (photo credit: Ito Sho)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass described the move as "historic" during a launch event held at his official residence in Tokyo on 13 May. He noted that it marks the first time Japan's largest supermarket chain will offer Calrose rice, grown entirely in the United States, on a national scale. According to Aeon representatives, the company will retail a 4-kilogram bag of its Karoyaka brand rice for 2,894 yen (about $20, tax included), approximately 15% below the national average. The retailer plans to distribute around 14,000 tons, focusing primarily on urban centres facing rice shortages. Sales will be introduced gradually, beginning on 6 June.
The Karoyaka rice is cheaper than domestic varieties despite a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram. Aeon decided to sell bags of 100% U.S. rice following strong sales of its Japanese-U.S. blended rice introduced in April.
