コメ生産８％抑制を　２１年産、コロナで需要減―農水省が目安

　農林水産省は１６日、２０２１年産主食用米の生産量について、２０年産の収穫見通し（７３５万トン）に比べ約８％（５６万トン）少ない６７９万トンが適当との目安を公表した。新型コロナウイルス流行の影響で外食向けを中心に需要が大幅に減っていることが理由。供給過剰を回避するため、農水省は飼料米などへの転換を呼び掛ける方針だ。
　同時に公表した２０年産の卸値（６０キロ当たり、農協など出荷業者と卸売業者の取引）は、需給緩和により平均１万５１４３円と前年に比べ６７６円下落した。新米の季節である９月に値下がりするのは６年ぶり。（2020/10/16-19:27）

The Japanese agriculture ministry Friday called for an 8 pct production cut in rice for human consumption next year, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on demand.
   Demand for rice, particularly for use at restaurants, has been falling significantly as many people have chosen not to dine out due to the pandemic.
   A desirable level of 2021 rice production is 6.79 million tons, compared with an estimated 2020 crop of 7.35 million tons, the ministry said.
   The ministry plans to ask farmers to shift to production of rice for livestock feed in an effort to avoid an oversupply of rice for staple food, officials said.
   Demand for rice for human consumption is expected to fall by up to 110,000 tons to 7.04 million tons in 2021 from the previous year due to an aging population and a change in dietary habits, the ministry said. The actual figure may be lower due to the pandemic.