JFC's flagship California medium-grain rice (a Kokuho Rose x M-401 hybrid released in 1981), the everyday workhorse 'Japanese-style' rice in North America and a favorite of global sushi restaurants. NOT exported from Japan — it is grown and milled in California and sold by Kikkoman's JFC subsidiary, which is precisely why it avoids Japanese export logistics and import tariffs and dominates by volume. Affordable, reliable sushi/table rice.
The supplierNishiki is JFC International's (Kikkoman group) flagship California-grown japonica brand — overseas-made, not Japan-origin. JFC is the leading Asian-food importer/distributor in North America with full B2B/English operations, broad foodservice and retail reach, and decades of distribution scale.
Why it sells abroadThe default everyday Japanese-style sushi rice in Western markets: reliable, affordable, widely available — the volume backbone for sushi restaurants and home cooks. Overseas-made (California), not Japan-origin.
Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED
CertificationsKosher: confirmed (Nishiki by JFC International is kosher-certified per JFC brand listing). Non-GMO Project Verified: confirmed per JFC/retail listings. California milling food-safety (HACCP / SQF / FSSC 22000) is standard for US millers but the specific certifier is not individually cited. Domestic US/CA distribution avoids phytosanitary import burden. Halal/Organic: not publicly verified.
Pack formatsRetail 2 lb / 5 lb / 10 lb / 15 lb / 20 lb bags; foodservice up to 50 lb sacks; case packs e.g. 5 lb x6/case.
Shelf life~12-18 months for milled white rice; best-by stamped.
StorageCool, dry, ambient.
Minimum orderTypical: distributor MOQ low (case/pallet) within North America; FCL for export markets.
Lead timeTypical: 1–3 weeks domestic North America via JFC DCs; longer for overseas export.
CapacityLarge — California japonica milling at industrial scale; one of the highest-volume Japanese-style rice brands in the West.
Container loadTypical: 20ft ~18–20 t; 40ft ~24–26 t. Ships FCL ambient for export; mostly distributed domestically.
PricingEstimate: USD 1.50–2.80/kg wholesale; value-premium vs. true Japan-origin rice.
OEM / private labelNishiki is brand-managed by JFC. California millers broadly offer OEM/private-label japonica, but OEM of the Nishiki brand itself is not the model. OEM not confirmed for this brand specifically.
Wholesale & MOQJFC International distribution; MOQ case to truckload/container
Key exporters & distributorsJFC International
Export regulationDomestic US/import food labeling; GMO-free claims; no Japan export barriers (grown in California)
Market demandVery high, mainstream demand across US/CA/GB/AU sushi and home-cooking; sushi-rice category leader by volume in the West.
How to source itJFC International (Kikkoman group) direct - primary; broad US/CA/UK/AU distribution network.
Available inUnited States, Canada, United Kingdom +2 more
HandlingAmbient
Price tierMid
ChannelMass
Export readinessMade overseas
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.
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