In today's developed economies, lining up to buy a staple grain may seem like a thing of the past. But in Japan, it's become a stark reality as a rice shortage sends prices soaring.

A 5 kilogram (11 pound) bag of rice cost 4,280 yen ($29) in May 2025 - double the price from a year earlier, according to Bloomberg.

The surge stems from a supply crunch dating back to 2023, when a severe heat wave hit Japan's rice harvest. The extreme temperatures not only lowered the quality of the crop but also caused a sharp decline in overall production.