Indonesia to Import Three Million Tonnes of Rice in 2024, Minister Says
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Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia will import rice this year around three million tons.
The Minister stated that of the total rice imports, two million tons are in the process. This was conveyed at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta.
"Last year, we imported around 3.5 million tons. This year, 2 million are in the process, we are preparing three million," Minister Hartarto said on Tuesday.
He said that the decision to import rice had been decided since February 2023. However, he didn't mention how much the budget for rice imports was.
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"For the budget, it depends on the realization of the price of rice per ton," the Minister remarked.
Minister Hartarto stated that three million tons of rice will immediately enter Indonesia.
Because the 3 million tons is an import quota, but what has been processed will enter in March 2024.
"We will see in the planting season. So, it's expected that the stock will enter, now until March it is expected to enter. The rest we will see again quarter by quarter," Minister Hartarto stated.
Earlier, Bulog Public Corporation ensured that the volume of rice supply in the country was safe until mid-June 2024.
"Insya Allah, it will be safe until June," said Banyu Krisnamurthi, adding that the agency is ready to carry out the government's duty to import 2 million tons of rice, and many countries have offered their rice to be imported to Indonesia.
"In October-November, we were in the position of looking for and expecting the mercy of (other countries) to find rice. The cabinet decided on 2 million (tons of rice), now more than 4 million (tons of rice) have been offered to Bulog," Krishnamurti explained.
"Some of the countries that currently routinely offer their rice for purchase by Indonesia are Thailand and India," he concluded.
