Japan's agriculture ministry says 1.9 percent of the released stockpiles of rice purchased at auctions last month reached retailers and other outlets that offer the staple food to consumers.



The ministry has disclosed the distribution status of the release as of April 13. The ministry aims for steady rice supplies.



About 210,000 tons of released stockpiles were bought at the two auctions. Primary wholesalers received 137,879 tons from the warehouses. Secondary wholesalers gained 20,073 tons. Retailers, restaurants and other businesses obtained 4,179 tons. That is 1.9 percent of the auctioned rice.



The amount that reached those providing rice to consumers rose by more than 3,700 tons from the figure as of March 30. However, that is just a tiny fraction of the total stockpiles that were auctioned.



Agriculture minister Eto Taku said on April 8 that the rice from the national reserves was expected to hit store shelves in full scale around April 10. But he disclosed on April 15 that some retailers including small and mid-sized supermarkets said they would start selling the rice in late April or May at the earliest.



The ministry says it may take time for businesses to make deals among themselves. It points out that more rice will be released so the staple is expected to reach consumers some time later.