全国の生産者などを対象にした向こう3ヶ月の米価格の見通しを示す8月分の指数は前の月と同じ18となりましたこの指数はゼロに近づくほど価格が安くなる見通しを示すもので50を下回るのは11ヶ月連続ですまた2ヶ月連続で過去最低となっています

値下がり傾向が続く最大の要因は米余りです民間が抱える在庫の量は7月末として過去最大となり新米の本格流通を前に安売りが続いているとみられます

こうした中政府は来週18日に備蓄米21万トンの買い戻しを始めます21万トンなら米価格への影響は少ないとの見方もありますが市場に出回らない米はこれだけではないんです政府が進めるいくつかの事業で実に38万トンもの米が生産現場や倉庫に留め置かれます買い戻しの分と合わせると去年放出した備蓄米と同じ59万トンに上る計算です市場に出回る量が減れば価格の下げ止まりにつながる可能性もあります

米は主食です政府が進める物価高対策の効果にも影響するだけに今後の動向が注目されます

The August index, which surveys rice producers and other stakeholders nationwide on price outlooks for the next three months, remained unchanged from the previous month at 18. This index indicates that prices are expected to be lower the closer it gets to zero; it has now stayed below 50 for 11 consecutive months and has hit a record low for the second month in a row. The primary factor behind the continued downward price trend is a rice surplus. Private-sector inventories reached a record high for the end of July, and bargain sales appear to be continuing ahead of the full-scale distribution of the new crop. Under these circumstances, the government will begin repurchasing 210,000 tons of reserve rice on the 18th of next week. While some believe that 210,000 tons will have little impact on rice prices, this is not the only rice kept off the market. Through various government projects, as much as 380,000 tons of rice will be held back at production sites and in warehouses. Combined with the repurchases, this amounts to 590,000 tons—the same volume of reserve rice released last year. If the volume circulating in the market decreases, it could potentially halt the price decline. Rice is a staple food. Since this will also affect the effectiveness of the government's measures against inflation, future developments will be closely watched.