Indonesia remains free of rice imports for second year, minister says
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said domestic stocks were sufficient as the government sought to protect food supplies from global disruptions.
Indonesia is in a second year of meeting its rice needs without imports under President Prabowo Subianto, according to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman. Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, he said stocks were sufficient and the government was coordinating efforts to protect food supplies against international disruptions.
Figures from earlier reports cited by ANTARA put Bulog's rice reserves at around 4.5 million metric tons by October's end. The state-run logistics agency's holdings were supplemented by projected supplies of approximately 10 million tons from standing crops and another 10 million tons held across hotels, restaurants and catering businesses.
Those reports estimated the country's overall rice supply at roughly 25 million tons. Monthly national consumption was around 2.5 million tons.
Sulaiman said his ministry was working to maintain sufficient food for approximately 286 million people. He also reported talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart on cooperation to improve food security.
The minister linked disruption in trade and logistics to escalating geopolitical tensions. He said at least 33 countries appeared to be curbing food exports to protect their own supplies from external shocks, while China continued to import around 6 million tons of food.
