Japan's Cheapest Vegetable Is No Longer So Cheap
Bean sprouts, long regarded as one of Japan's most affordable and dependable vegetables, are becoming increasingly expensive as rising raw material costs and soaring energy bills push up production expenses, putting pressure on ramen shops and hot pot restaurants that rely heavily on the ingredient. (News On Japan)
Bean sprouts, once a cornerstone of Japan's affordable and dependable vegetable supply, are now facing rising costs that threaten their status as a budget-friendly ingredient. The climbing prices stem from increased expenses in producing and importing the key raw materials. At Jiro-style ramen shops specializing in large portions, bean sprouts have become a signature element, but now they are in scarce supply and fetch higher prices, ranging from 10% to 20% more than before.
Restaurants across the country are grappling with tighter supplies and higher expenses, putting pressure on them to either raise prices or reduce portion sizes. The main culprit behind the cost surge is the sharp increase in the price of black beans imported from Myanmar, a key raw material for bean sprouts. This price hike has more than tripled compared to previous years, forcing producers to rethink their operations and consumption patterns.
The growing challenge extends beyond restaurants, affecting consumers as well – bean sprouts, once a staple in budget-conscious households, are now harder to keep cheap, potentially impacting their affordability for everyday meals.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
