MAINICHI



 

Prices on another 109 food and beverage items -- mainly processed foods -- will increase starting December in Japan, according to business intelligence firm Teikoku Databank Ltd.

The increases will bring the total number of items to see price hikes in 2024 to 12,520 -- the smallest number of increases in the past three years.
However, further increases for items like bread and alcoholic beverages are expected next year. The report warns, "The pace of price increases in 2025 could surpass that of 2024."

December price rises for 91 processed food items -- particularly packaged rice -- are being driven by surging rice prices. Other categories include 11 confectionery items and seven seasonings.

From January to April 2025, 3,933 items are scheduled for price increases. Bread products will see rises across the board, with 1,227 items increasing in January alone.

Alcoholic beverages, including canned beer, will add another 1,251 items in April. Processed foods, such as frozen meals and mochi rice cake, will account for 1,040 items.

As with this year, soaring raw material costs are the main reason for the projected price increases in 2025.

Higher logistics expenses, due to new truck driver work regulations, and rising labor costs stemming from minimum wage hikes are also significant contributors cited by many companies.