It feels like the price of everything involved in making sake is rising–most noticeably rice, but also fuel and agricultural inputs like fertiliser. And the latest product to undergo a price hike is the Kyokai Yeast produced by the Brewing Society of Japan.
The society has absorbed increases in raw material prices until now but recently published new prices that will come into effect from 1 September 2025, or from 1 April 2026 for new or renewed contracts for continuous supply of yeast.
The iconic Kyokai Yeast glass ampoules, soon to be a thing of the past.
(Photo taken by me on a brewery tour of Miyoshino Shuzo, makers of Hanatomoe, in Nov 2024)
The new Kyokai Yeast packaging. (From the Brewing Society of Japan site)
Prices for dried yeast (the only kind that can be exported) remain the same, while prices for all other types of sake and other yeasts are set to increase.
- A pack of 5 ampoules of foaming yeasts #6, #7, #9 or #10 will increase from JPY 8,100 to JPY 9,180 (13%), #11 from JPY 13,500 to JPY 15,120 (12%) and #14 from JPY 10,800 to JPY 11,880 (10%)
- A pack of 10 ampoules of non-foaming yeasts #601, #701, #901 or #1001 will increase from JPY 19,440 to JPY 21,600 (11%), #1101 from JPY 27,000 to JPY 30,240 (12%), #1401 and #1501 from JPY 25,920 to JPY 29,160 (13%) and #KT901 from JPY 20,412 to JPY 22,680 (11%)
The organisation is also updating its packaging line, and switching from traditional glass ampoules to plastic sachets called “mini-pouches” starting in October 2025. Holding 10 ml of yeast, the new packs are lighter, safer to ship, and have a shelf life equivalent to the previous glass ampoules. The mini-pouches also comply with Japan’s Positive List system, which dictates what materials can be used for packaging that comes into contact with food products. There will be no change in packaging for yeast strains that are currently supplied in larger plastic bottles.
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きょうかい酵母の価格改定のお知らせ (17 June 2025, Brewing Society of Japan, Japanese)
アンプル酵母製品のプラスチック小袋包装への変更について (30 June 2025, Brewing Society of Japan, Japanese)
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