Japan’s Consumption of Rice, Wheat May Fall, U.S. Agency Says

Rice and wheat consumption in Japan is flat and may decline as the country’s demographics change, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture agency. Per-capita rice consumption was 59 kilograms (130 pounds) in 2009, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said today in a report, citing estimates from the government in Tokyo. Wheat consumption is projected to decline 0.9 percent to 5.65 million metric tons in the year that starts in July, the agency said. Rice consumption is projected to fall 1 percent to 8.13 million tons in the year that begins in November, according to the unit. Japan’s corn consumption, mostly for animal feed, also is expected to slow as the number of cows, hogs and poultry stagnates, the USDA group said. The nation’s corn use is projected to drop 1.5 percent to 16.05 million tons in the year that begins in October.