Indonesia to import more rice to tackle rising prices

Iklan
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said efforts to import rice are made to address rising prices, which are being experienced by almost all countries due to the El Nino, and to meet Indonesia’s rice reserve requirements. - FILE PIX
JAKARTA - The Indonesian government plans to import more rice despite the current stock in the country numbering at two million tonnes, higher than the usual 1.2 million tonnes, said President Joko Widodo.

He said efforts to import rice are made to address rising prices, which are being experienced by almost all countries due to the El Nino, and to meet Indonesia’s rice reserve requirements.

"Our rice stock is already substantial, but we’re still exploring options for additional sources, not just for the present, but also for next year,” he said after inspecting the government’s warehouses in West Java and Jakarta.

Widodo had discussed rice imports with several world leaders, including Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s Premier Li Qiang.

He said further negotiations will be conducted by the state food procurement agency, Bulog.

The rice stock at Bulog’s warehouse currently stands at 1.6 million tonnes, with an additional 400,000 tonnes in transit, bringing the total to two million tonnes. - BERNAMA