TOKYO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The average retail price of rice sold at supermarkets in Japan came in at 3,776 yen (about 25.6 U.S. dollars) per 5 kg during the week ending Aug. 24, government data showed.

The price was down 28 yen from the previous week and marked the first decline in three weeks, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

The ministry attributed the price drop partly to an increase in sales of government stockpiled rice, which is sold through discretionary contracts at lower prices.

Based on data from about 1,000 supermarkets, MAFF reported that single-origin branded rice averaged 4,272 yen per 5 kilograms, up 4 yen from the week before.

Meanwhile, blended rice varieties, including stockpiled rice, averaged 3,159 yen, down 10 yen week-on-week. ■