Ame Kaze Taiyo,Inc., which operates Pokemaru, conducted an urgent survey of 105 producers registered on Pokemaru regarding the effects of adverse weather since August. The survey found that prolonged rain and insufficient sunlight had reduced quality and yields, also affecting producers' net income.
The survey was conducted from 29 September to 4 October, with responses from 105 producers in 30 prefectures ranging from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The respondents were registered on Pokemaru, and many reported that adverse weather since August had affected agricultural work and production sites.
Among the key findings, approximately 89.5% of producers responded that they had been or were likely to be affected. Of the affected producers, 76.6% cited lower quality and 70.2% cited lower yields, indicating declines in shipment volumes and quality. Regarding net income, 68.9% of respondents said it had declined. Even where market prices had risen, the proportion reporting higher net income was extremely low.
Multiple responses cited lower income resulting from declines in quality and yields and poor crop growth as the causes and effects of the impact. Free-form responses also described effects on quality, including lower sugar content, and countermeasures. They documented the impact of delays caused by prolonged rain and lower quality on management and production sites.
Regarding the destination of damaged or off-spec crops, 52.2% were sold as damaged or off-spec products, 45.6% were disposed of without being sold or shipped, and 18.9% were processed and sold by the producers themselves. Producers cited rising costs, prices failing to keep pace, and delays in work and lower quality caused by prolonged rain. Messages to consumers included appeals highlighting the taste of off-spec products and requests for support.