A national rice production surplus in 2026 is not expected to\nautomatically ensure that all Indonesians can obtain rice at affordable\nprices. Distribution problems, logistics costs, and limited food\ninfrastructure remain challenges, especially in remote and island\nregions.<\/p>\n
Agricultural observer from the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE)\nEliza Mardian said that national rice availability, including high\ngovernment rice reserves (CBP), does not necessarily reflect an even\nsupply to hard-to-reach areas. According to Eliza, food distribution\ndisruptions in several remote regions can directly affect the rice\nprices paid by consumers. In certain conditions, rice prices can even\nrise to Rp25,000\u2013Rp30,000 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the fact is that consumer-level prices in remote areas can\nstill spike sharply,\u201d Eliza said when contacted in Jakarta on Monday\n(24\/8).<\/p>\n
Food balance projection data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows\nthat Indonesia\u2019s rice production in 2026 is estimated to reach 34.77\nmillion tonnes. This figure is higher than the projected national\nrequirement of 31.10 million tonnes, resulting in a surplus of around\n3.67 million tonnes.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this condition is not yet fully reflected in rice\nprices across all regions. Data from the National Strategic Food Price\nInformation Centre (PIHPS) accessed on Tuesday (25\/8) recorded the\nnational average price of medium-quality rice at Rp16,500 per\nkilogram.<\/p>\n
Several regions in eastern Indonesia recorded higher prices. The\naverage price of medium rice in Maluku reached Rp17,600 per kilogram,\nNorth Maluku Rp18,000 per kilogram, and Papua Rp19,350 per kilogram.\nHigher prices were also found in several districts. In Jayawijaya\nRegency, for example, the rice price was recorded at Rp23,500 per\nkilogram, while in Mimika Regency it was at Rp19,500 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
Eliza explained that the price gap is inseparable from inter-island\ndistribution chain problems. High logistics costs, a lack of food\nstorage facilities in the regions, and limited market structures in\nremote areas also affect the prices received by consumers.<\/p>\n
Therefore, she assessed that food security cannot be measured solely\nby production volume or stock availability. Aspects of public access,\nprice affordability, and supply continuity must also be part of food\nsecurity indicators.<\/p>\n
Eliza encouraged the government to strengthen the food distribution\nsystem in a more planned manner. This can be done by increasing storage\nfacilities in remote districts, improving the implementation of regular\nand measurable market operations, and enhancing inter-island transport\nconnectivity.<\/p>\n
The government itself continues to use government rice reserves (CBP)\nas one of the instruments to maintain supply stability and rice prices\nin the community. The National Food Agency (Bapanas) recorded that CBP\ndistribution from January to August 2026 reached 1.65 million tonnes.\nThe distribution was carried out through several programmes, including\nthe Food Supply and Price Stabilisation programme (SPHP) and food\nassistance.<\/p>\n
Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilisation at Bapanas I Gusti\nKetut Astawa said the acceleration of CBP distribution was carried out\nto control rice price developments in various regions. The policy is\nalso part of the government\u2019s measures to face pressure on the food\nsector due to the El Nino phenomenon occurring at the peak of the dry\nseason.<\/p>\n
Thus, the national rice production surplus needs to be followed by\nstrengthened distribution so that the additional supply is not only\nrecorded in the food balance sheet but can also be felt by the public in\nthe form of stable rice availability and more affordable prices.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-rice-surplus-does-not-guarantee-lower-rice-prices-1787655067", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }