Cabbage prices surge in Japan due to poor weather conditions

Cabbage prices in Japan have skyrocketed to $4 per kilogram, a significant 3.37-fold increase compared to the usual rates. This price hike is a result of reduced harvests caused by extreme weather, including high summer temperatures, prolonged autumn rains, and recent cold spells with limited rainfall, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry has warned that cabbage prices are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. This has already started to impact various industries. A local packaged salad company has reduced the cabbage portion in its products from 120 grams to 100 grams per bag due to supply shortages.

Consumers are also feeling the pinch, with fewer people buying cabbage and turning to alternatives. Recipe searches for dishes involving cabbage, such as those for hot pot, have declined on a popular cooking websites. Instead, people are looking up recipes using hakusai (Chinese cabbage), bean sprouts, pea sprouts, and mushrooms, which remain affordable thanks to factory-based production.

Supermarkets are preparing for a prolonged period of high prices, with retailers confirming no immediate relief in sight. As cabbage becomes more expensive, consumers are adjusting their cooking habits, seeking cost-effective and readily available substitutes. The ongoing shortage highlights the broader impact of unpredictable weather on Japan's food supply.

source: japantimes.co.jp

photo: kikkoman.com