early-harvest rice; early rice
Refers to rice harvested earlier than the main crop, often from warmer regions or early-planted fields. Contrasts with 遅場米 (おくばまい, late-harvest rice).
See also: 遅場米
Because it was warm this year, the early rice harvest came earlier.
Early-harvest rice is often more expensive than late-harvest rice.
Compound of 早場 (はやば, early field/season) and 米 (まい, rice). The reading まい for 米 is a common on-reading in compounds.