Japanese bread makers turning to domestic wheat for secure supply

Japanese bread manufacturers are increasingly using domestically produced wheat to avoid potential import disruptions due to global geopolitical issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and U.S. tariff policies. This locally sourced wheat results in a 10% price increase in the final baked goods. Leading companies like Pasco Shikishima Corp. and Fuji Baking Group Co. are actively incorporating more Japanese wheat into their products, with Pasco's domestic wheat usage expected to hit 20% by 2030. This strategic move not only reduces reliance on foreign supplies but also aims to boost domestic demand and production.

Japanese bread makers are increasingly using higher-priced domestically produced wheat to mitigate potential chaos over imports caused by the ever-fluid global situation. Bread products made from Japanese wheat are generally priced about 10 percent higher than those using imported wheat, depending on the variety. But Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine and possible trade wars sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign threaten to disrupt international supply chains and push up wheat prices. Domestic companies are turning to Japanese wheat, which is said to more easily create a chewy texture, to avoid such turmoil overseas. In February, Pasco Shikishima Corp. created a brand called “wakomugi” for products that use domestic wheat and redesigned their packages. It also began marketing four new products, including those that contain only Japanese wheat. Pasco started developing products using domestic wheat in 2008 to help increase Japan’s self-sufficiency ...