The price increase for food and beverages in August affected "1,010 items"—1.5 times more than the same month last year, with an average increase of 11%. Another "rush" of price hikes is expected in October.

1. Current Situation

According to a survey by Teikoku Databank on the price revision trends of 195 major companies focusing on household products, the price increase in August 2025 was 1,010 items. This marks a +52.8% increase compared to August of the previous year, with an average price increase rate of 11%. The number of items with price increases per month has exceeded 1,000 items for three consecutive months, and since January this year, it has exceeded the same month of the previous year for eight consecutive months, continuing a phase of "high plateau."

Breakdown by Sector

• Seasonings: 470 items (such as dashi, ponzu, various sauces)

• Dairy Products: 281 items (broad range including milk, cheese, yogurt due to increased raw milk transaction prices)

• Processed Foods: 109 items (such as frozen foods, packaged mochi)

• Alcoholic Beverages & Drinks: 88 items

• Confectionery: 17 items

• Raw Materials: 45 items
  — Total for August is 1,010 items.

2. Background: Why Are Price Increases Continuing?

The factors for price increases in 2025 include a relatively expanded impact of endogenous cost increases derived from goods and services. The main reasons are as follows (based on the number of items, known from January to November).

• High Raw Material Costs: 97.2%

• Logistics Costs: 80.0%

• Energy (Utilities): 66.5%

• Packaging & Materials: 59.4%

• Labor Costs: 53.9%

• Yen Depreciation (Exchange Rates): 12.2%
  
  All of these exceed half, and they overlap as composite factors.

3. Specific Examples: Product Groups with Noticeable Price Increases in August

In August, the simultaneous revision of dairy products stands out. Major dairy companies (e.g., Meiji, Morinaga Milk Industry, Megmilk Snow Brand) are raising prices for milk and yogurt, and major frozen food companies (e.g., Nichirei Foods) and rice cracker manufacturers (e.g., Iwatsuka Confectionery) are also planning revisions due to high raw material costs. In **"seasonings,"** revisions for dashi, ponzu, and various sauces are occurring one after another. FNN Prime Online

4. The Wave of Price Increases Over Time

• Over 1,000 Items in a Single Month: Since May, the scale of price increases per month has expanded again, with over 1,000 items for three consecutive months in August.

• Continuation of Exceeding the Same Month of the Previous Year: For eight consecutive months since January, it has exceeded the previous year, setting a new record for the longest period since statistics began in 2022.

• Known Figures for the Year: From January to November 2025, the total number of published items reached 19,416 items (average price increase rate of 15%). This is a +55.1% increase compared to the previous year (12,520 items).

5. Future Outlook: "Rush After Six Months" in October

TDB anticipates that over 3,000 items are expected to see price increases in October, potentially leading to a large wave since April this year (4,225 items). For the full year 2025, it is expected to certainly reach the 20,000-item range, with the possibility of matching 2022 (25,768 items) depending on trends. It is important to note that the movement of price increases is shifting from temporary measures to a strategy incorporating permanent cost increases.

6. Impact on Households and Practical Measures You Can Take Today

(1) "Visualization" of Unit Prices and Substitution

• Always compare unit prices per 100g/100ml. Seasonings are often advantageous in large-capacity or refillable options.

• For dairy products, compare across brands using functional indicators like "cost per protein."
  
  
  

(2) Optimization of Private Brands (PB) and Frequent Purchases

• PBs have a simple cost structure, allowing for faster price optimization. However, check for differences in capacity and ingredients.

• For staples like milk, eggs, and tofu, concentrate purchases on flyer lowest price days + point increase days.
  
  
  

(3) Bulk Buying & Freezing/Stocking

• Frozen vegetables, packaged rice, and frozen udon serve as price stabilizers. During special sales, prepare "one month's worth."

• For stew, curry, and Bolognese, make three days' worth at once and freeze in portions to save on gas costs.
  
  
  

(4) Utilization of Alternative Ingredients

• In a phase where the prices of animal proteins continue to rise, base your diet on tofu, natto, chicken breast, and eggs.

• During dairy product price hikes, consider using skim milk or yogurt makers.
  
  
  

(5) "Smart Use of Dining Out"

• Shift weekly dining out to the lunch period. For takeout, use coupons + pre-orders to save on waiting time.
  
  
  

(6) Reviewing Utility Costs and Cooking Processes

• After reaching boiling point, maintain low heat, and use pressure cookers and microwaves to shorten heating time.

• Operate dishwashers and dryers at night (depending on electricity rate plans) to reduce total costs.
  
  
  

(7) Inventory of Subscriptions and Membership Benefits

• Design "monthly minimum costs" by combining regular delivery discounts/free shipping thresholds from online supermarkets and drugstores.

7. Movement of Wheat Prices: Some Cost-Reducing Factors

The government has reduced the government selling price of imported wheat to flour milling companies by an average of 4.6% for the April 2025 term. This revision is based on a biannual market-linked system, and flour milling companies are reviewing wheat flour wholesale prices according to items (e.g., Torigoe Flour Milling is reducing the price of commercial wheat flour by 55-65 yen/25kg from July 10 deliveries). However, due to rising logistics and labor costs, it does not necessarily mean that retail prices will immediately decrease across the board.

8. Price Trends and "Buying Opportunities": Where Will the Breather Occur?

• Seasonings: Strong composite factors of raw materials and materials, with a tendency for items with slow inventory turnover to have sluggish price reductions.

• Dairy Products: The revision of raw milk transaction prices is spreading. Read the cycle (weekends, beginning of the month) of special sales and adjust with larger yogurt sizes.

• Frozen Foods: While affected by raw materials and exchange rates, manufacturers' promotions make rotation special sales more likely.

9. "Buying Framework" Based on Retail Pricing Strategies

1. Note the "standard price" for staples to cultivate a sense of market value

2. Lower the "actual price" by stacking weekly flyers + app benefits + code payment points

3. Set the upper limit of inventory days (e.g., 1-2 weeks for dairy products, 1-2 months for dried goods) to eliminate food waste.

4. **Target inventory clearance during the "shelf change period" (seasonal transitions) for seasonings**

5. Use PB⇄NB interchangeably depending on the purpose (NB for key flavors, PB for general use)

10. Q&A: Common Questions

Q. When will the "end" of price increases be?
A. With over 3,000 items expected in October, upward pressure is expected to continue at least until autumn. Due to the high plateau of raw material, logistics, and labor cost factors, a comprehensive shift to a "price reduction trend" is premature.

Q. How to cope with dairy products?
A. Since "bulk buying→freezing" is difficult, understand the cycle of special sales and share large quantities (with family or workplace) to lower unit prices. For yogurt, adjust cost/sugar with plain + homemade flavors##HTML_TAG