Three major convenience store chains will begin selling older rice released from government reserves, with the first batch expected to hit shelves at limited outlets as early as this week.
FamilyMart Co., Lawson Inc. and Seven-Eleven Japan Co. said on June 3 that they had obtained assurances that their applications for government rice contracts had been or will be accepted.
FamilyMart, which applied for about 1,000 tons of rice harvested in 2021, said that sales will begin at 10 stores each in Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture as early as June 6 and will be expanded nationwide later.
It plans to sell 1-kilogram bags of this rice priced at 360 yen ($2.50) before tax.
Seven-Eleven Japan, which applied for 500 tons of rice, plans to sell 2-kg bags of prewashed rice nationwide priced at about 800 yen excluding tax.
The company said sales will start at some stores three days after it receives the rice from the government.
Lawson, which also applied for 500 tons, plans to offer 1-kg bags for 360 yen each and 2-kg bags for 700 yen, excluding tax.
The company said sales will start at some stores in the Kanto region three days after the rice shipments arrive and at stores nationwide in about a week.
The companies will purchase rice earmarked for small and midsize businesses after their applications were not accepted during the initial round of negotiated contracts with large retailers.
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