Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Minister of Commerce Zulkifli Hasan said the Indonesian government had to import 500,000 tons of rice from abroad.
Zulhas assessed that import measures need to be taken to meet the government’s depleting rice reserves (CBP) towards the end of the year.
“If Bulog can buy it domestically, there is rice, of course there is no need to import the goods. But if it is not there, we cannot import it,” Zulkifli added at the Ministry of Commerce office, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (7 /12).
Bulog rice stocks were recorded at 594,856 tons, consisting of 168,283 tons (28.29%) of commercial rice and 426,573 tons (71.71%) of CBP stocks through Nov. 21. Until the end of the year, only 200,000 tonnes are estimated to remain.
The decision to import rice was made through a restricted assembly (Ratas) chaired by President Jokowi to increase the rice reserves for Bulog.
“If Bulog can buy it in horror, there is rice, of course we don’t need to import it. But if there isn’t, then we can’t import it,” Zulkifli said.
CNNIndonesia.com summarizes other facts related to this rice import policy:
Bulog imports 200 thousand tons from 3 countries
Perum Bulog has imported 200 thousand tons of rice from Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. After that, all the rice will arrive in Indonesia on December 24th.
Bulog chief manager Budi Waseso, alias Buwas, said the first batch of rice arrived on Friday (12/16) at Tanjung Priok port and Merak port, each of 5,000 tons. All imported rice will be directly distributed to 14 ports in Indonesia.
Buwas explained that the imported rice will become the Government’s Rice Reserve (CPB) which will be used for market operations. The premium rice is 170,000 tons from Thailand, 20,000 tons from Vietnam and 10,000 tons from Pakistan.
The imported rice will be sold at IDR 9,450 per kilo
National Food Agency (BPN) chief Arief Prasetyo said the 200,000 tonnes of imported rice would be sold at the market at the higher retail price (HET) of IDR 9,450 per kg.
Meanwhile, the selling price of imported rice from Bulog to traders is IDR 8,300 per kg.
“Bulog releases Rp. 8,300, sells it below HET Rp. 9,450 per kg,” he told Tanjung Priok on Friday (12/16).
Meanwhile, Buwas explained that the rice was bought from Bulog for IDR 8,800 per kg and will be sold at the market for IDR 8,300 per kg. The difference in rice prices will be paid by the government.
“We buy it for Rp. 8,800, then release it for Rp. 8,300. After that we will apply for state permission for (imported rice) to be changed into CBP, after which the difference will be refunded by the state,” Buwas said.
Drama rice imports to Indonesia
