Top-Ranked Rice Selling Well

TOKYO (NQN)--Demand is surging for rice that performed well in a 2012 ranking of domestically grown varieties.

According to the ranking, released Feb. 14 by the Japan Grain Inspection Association, the top-scoring rice was a variety called Mori no Kumasan produced in Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture. After the ranking was released, sales of the rice nearly doubled at some stores.

Demand for Saga Biyori rice from Saga Prefecture, also in Kyushu, is increasing as well.

Twenty judges from the association examined rice from 128 locations based on six categories, including appearance, aroma, taste and stickiness.

Rice grown in western Japan, which includes Kyushu, scored especially well. About 72% of the rice produced in western Japan received high ranks of either Special A or A, beating rice from eastern Japan for the first time. A total of 71% of the rice produced in the east received such ranks.

Western Japan has fewer areas suitable for growing rice, making it more difficult for rice growers there to meet demand when it spikes.

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