Indonesian Ministry of Trade Guarantees Rice Stock and Price Stability as Holidays Draw Near

Nusantara Pol - Indonesian government through the Ministry of Trade guarantees the availability of national rice needs. Indonesian Bureau of Logistics (Bulog) has consistently absorbed grain and rice from domestic farmers throughout 2021.

The Minister of Trade, Muhammad Lutfi, stated that the last general rice import permit was issued in 2018, for the purpose of fulfilling government's rice reserves. Meanwhile, in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Ministry of Trade did not issue rice import permits for public purposes. 

President Jokowi during a dialogue with farmers in Trenggalek, East Java, Tuesday (30/11/2021). (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

“The permits that we issued during 2019, 2020, and 2021 were relatively very small and only for special purposes that cannot be produced domestically. These include special rice for hotels, restaurants, cafes, and foreign nationals living in Indonesia, such as , Japonica, Hom Mali, special rice for diabetics such as steamed rice, as well as 100 percent broken rice for industrial raw materials," he said.

According to the Minister of Trade, the government will always strengthened national rice stock in order to maintain a balance and availability of rice supply in the market, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government is committed to provide protection for farmers by absorbing domestic production. The Ministry of Trade also maintains supplies and price stabilization policies, especially during the eve of the National Religious Holidays of Christmas and New Year.

"For this reason, the Ministry of Trade will always coordinate with all stakeholders related to rice in ensuring the availability and stabilization of prices," he concluded.