Koshihikari Premium Rice (Japan-grown)

Koshihikari (Niigata/Uonuma; multiple JA brands) · Japan (Niigata Uonuma, Fukui, etc.)
Staples Rice Ambient Established export

Japan's most famous premium short-grain japonica cultivar, prized for stickiness, gloss and sweetness. Genuine Japan-grown Koshihikari (especially Uonuma) is exported as a high-value gift/connoisseur product, distinct from the far larger volume of overseas-grown Koshihikari-style rice from California, Italy and Australia. The 2025 domestic price spike plus weak yen has shifted export economics. Sold milled in nitrogen-flushed or vacuum bags to preserve freshness.

The supplierJA Zen-Noh is Japan's national federation of agricultural cooperatives, aggregating output from regional JA (Niigata, Fukui, etc.); among the world's largest farm-coop networks. Long export track record via Zen-Noh's grain/rice export division; Niigata Uonuma Koshihikari is the flagship premium grade. Typical: B2B/English-ready via Zen-Noh export desks and licensed exporters; documentation supported.
Why it sells abroadThe benchmark premium Japanese short-grain: sticky, glossy, sweet cooked texture; Uonuma origin is the gold-standard provenance story for sushi-grade and gift positioning.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsPhytosanitary certificate + radiation test certificate are standard, legally-required documents for Japan-origin rice exports (confirmed export requirement). Milling/packing HACCP and ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 are common among export-oriented millers but vary by plant: not verified for a single named maker. JAS Organic exists as a category offering on select organic Koshihikari lots (confirmed the certification category exists) but not verified for a specific brand here. Halal/Kosher: not publicly verified for plain Japan-grown Koshihikari and generally not pursued for plain rice.
Pack formatsRetail 2kg / 5kg poly bags; export case packs 5kg x4/case or 2kg x10/case; foodservice 10kg / 30kg bags; vacuum-pack 300g-1kg gift formats.
Shelf life~12 months from milling for polished white rice (best within ~6 months for premium eating quality); stamped as milling/best-by date.
StorageCool, dry, away from direct sunlight and strong odors; ambient.
Minimum orderTypical: importer MOQ 1–5 tonnes (mixed pallet); FCL 20ft ~18–20 tonnes.
Lead timeTypical: 3–5 weeks from order to shipment incl. milling-to-order and phytosanitary inspection.
CapacityTypical: very large; JA/Zen-Noh aggregate multi-thousand-tonne volumes; premium Uonuma grade is supply-limited and allocation-based.
Container loadTypical: 20ft ~18–20 t (~3,600–4,000 ×5kg bags); 40ft ~24–26 t. Rice ships FCL ambient.
PricingEstimate: premium Japan-grown Koshihikari USD 3.00–5.50/kg FOB depending on grade (Uonuma top-tier higher); far above California japonica.
OEM / private labelOEM/private-label (importer house-brand bagging) is a routine offering for Japanese rice via Zen-Noh export division and licensed millers/exporters. Generic-category confirmation; no single maker page cited.
Wholesale & MOQVia JFC, Wismettac, Mutual Trading or JA export desks; MOQ pallet/container (1 MT+)
Key exporters & distributorsJFC International, Wismettac/Nishimoto, Mutual Trading, JA Zen-Noh
Export regulationPhytosanitary certificate; import-country rice tariffs/quotas; milled vs brown distinction; origin labeling
Market demandStrong, growing premium demand in HK/SG/TW high-end retail, US/AU sushi restaurants and Japanese supermarkets; sushi boom and authentic-Japanese dining drive sushi-rice category.
How to source itJA Zen-Noh export division / licensed Japanese rice exporters; importers JFC International and Wismettac/Nishimoto; JETRO and GFP support; FOODEX JAPAN and overseas trade fairs.
Verified sourcesMAFF/Japan rice export rules (phytosanitary + radiation certificate requirement for Japan-origin rice); JFC International (jfc.com) rice distribution; JAS Organic certification scheme (maff.go.jp)
MakerJA Zen-Noh / regional cooperatives (Niigata, Fukui, etc.)
OriginJapan (Niigata Uonuma, Fukui, etc.)
CategoryStaples / Rice
Available inHong Kong, Singapore, United States +2 more
HandlingAmbient
Price tierPremium
ChannelPremium/Gift
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code1006.30
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.