Western U.S. drought has negative impact on Arizona’s sushi industry
Sep 22, 2014, 6:45 AM | Updated: 6:45 am
PHOENIX — The sushi industry is one of many food industries experiencing price increases due to the ongoing drought in the western United States — and that has some of Arizona’s sushi restaurants bracing for higher costs.
The type of rice used in sushi is a short or medium grain that is predominantly grown in California. The drought has forced a reduction in the production of that rice, according to a report by Politico.
The reduction has put some strain on people who use that rice, such as Paul Kim, owner of Yen Sushi near 43rd Avenue and Bell Road in Glendale.
Kim said he had already seen a recent jump of 15-20 percent in costs. But with the drought-induced price increase, Kim, who obtains his rice from California, said his costs have risen a couple hundred dollars per month on top of that.
“The rice is really important for me,” he said. “I probably buy about six or seven packs of 50-pound rice every week, so I would say (it’s) about $1,000 per month.”
According to Politico, the price increase is due to water restrictions placed on California-based farmers. As such, those farmers saw a near-25 percent decrease in production this year.
To make matters worse, restaurant owners dependent on sushi rice don’t have many alternatives, Kim said.
While other states such as Arkansas and Louisiana are large producers of rice, the quality and production of the correct type of rice for sushi doesn’t compare to California’s.
“I haven’t thought about buying different products from different companies,” he said. “I have to keep the same rice quality (so) changing the company is not my option.”
In addition, Kim said the rising cost of certain produce from California, such as avocados, has put an added stress on his business.
Kim said his customers won’t see price increases on his menu, but he hopes for better production in California in the future in order to bring prices back down.