Curry Rice Price in February 2026: 364 Yen Per Meal, First Decrease in 7 Months; March Forecast at 363 Yen, Influenced by Falling Rice Prices; Future Focus on Crude Oil Price Surge

Teikoku Databank, Ltd. has independently calculated the "Curry Rice Price Index," which indicates the degree of impact on household dining tables.

SUMMARY

The average price of curry rice in February 2026 was 364 yen per meal (336 yen in the previous year).

This represents a 6 yen decrease from the previous month's record high (370 yen), marking the first decline in seven months and returning to the 360 yen range after two months.

The curry rice price in March 2026 is expected to remain around 363 yen per meal. The "Second Curry Shock," which began in earnest around autumn 2025, is currently moving towards a phase of stabilization.

[Note 1] Curry Rice Price: An index independently calculated based on raw materials used for curry rice and utility costs for cooking. The average value of five menus: beef curry, pork curry, chicken curry, seafood curry, and vegetable curry. Various price data refer to the average values across cities (national average) from the "Retail Price Statistical Survey" (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). The cooking scenario assumes "cooking 6 servings (1/2 pack of commercial curry roux) at once."

Curry Rice Price Index: Price trend based on monthly curry rice prices, with the 2020 average set as 100.

[Note 2] The survey targets and capacities for the curry rice price were partially changed in January 2026, and retroactive revisions were made back to January 2015.

February 2026 Curry Rice Price:

364 Yen Per Meal, First Decrease in 7 Months – Benefiting from "Falling Rice Prices"

The "Curry Rice Price (average, 2026 standard revised)," calculated based on the prices of raw materials and utilities (national average) required to cook curry rice at home, and visualizing the impact of price hikes on dining tables, was 364 yen per meal on average in February 2026. This is 109 yen (approximately 40%) higher than 10 years ago (February 2016: 255 yen), and +27 yen (8.0%) higher than the previous year (February 2025: 337 yen). This is the first time in 1 year and 4 months (since October 2024) that the year-on-year price increase has fallen below 30 yen.

Future attention will be paid to the impact of a "surge in crude oil prices."