The farm ministry is encouraging rice flour use in sweets to counter declining rice consumption in Japan. An event earlier this month at the ministry introduced products from 22 manufacturers. Farm Minister Norikazu Suzuki set a goal to double demand by 2030.
The event showcased cookies, baumkuchen and brownies made with rice flour ranging from 10 to 100 percent. Edelweiss Co from Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, presented polvoron, a traditional Spanish shortbread adapted with rice flour. A company spokesperson said using rice flour skips the roasting process and adds a Japanese twist.
Global demand for rice flour is rising because it is gluten-free. A talk session with chefs and millers stressed the need to raise awareness of its health benefits and differences from wheat flour.
Farm Minister Norikazu Suzuki announced a target to double rice flour demand from the 2025 level to 130,000 tons by 2030. Data from the Rice Stable Supply Support Organization showed per capita monthly rice consumption fell 6.1 percent to 4,435 grams for the year ending March 2026, a seven-year low. In June the House of Representatives passed a bill to revise the law on stable supply and pricing of staple foods.