Agriculture Minister affirms that consumption sugar self-sufficiency target remains on track for 2027

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister and Head of the National Food Agency Andi Amran Sulaiman has affirmed that the target for self-sufficiency in consumption sugar by 2027 remains on track and will not be delayed, despite facing various challenges in national production and distribution. “Our target is white sugar self-sufficiency next year. That is our target. Hopefully, it won’t miss the mark again,” the Minister stated when met after attending the Meeting to Accelerate the Realisation of Funding for Paddy Absorption Equivalent to Rice at Bulog’s Jakarta office on Monday. He assured that the government is committed to maintaining this target by strengthening protections for sugarcane farmers to enable increased production and sustainably meet domestic consumption sugar needs. According to him, one key step is preventing the seepage of refined sugar into the consumer market, which has previously been seen as damaging prices and harming local sugarcane farmers. “That must not seep in. Refined sugar must not seep in. Those who do it are betraying Indonesian farmers, sugarcane farmers. That must not happen again in 2026,” he said. The government has also coordinated with law enforcement authorities to firmly address violations, including cases previously found in several regions such as Central Java and South Kalimantan. “If that happens, we coordinate with law enforcement, and it is dealt with firmly. Last time, there were firm actions in Central Java, South Kalimantan, and other areas. That must not be allowed,” he stressed.