Amran Offers 10,000 Tonnes of Indonesian Rice, Singapore Minister Responds

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu Hai Yien, has responded to Indonesia’s offer to export at least 10,000 tonnes of rice to her country. She stated the proposal would be discussed further with importers in Singapore. “Yes, this is an idea that needs to be explored, so we will follow up and discuss it with our importers in Singapore,” Grace Fu said during a joint press conference with Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman in Jakarta on Monday (29/6/2026). Grace said Singapore welcomed the cooperation opportunity. As a country that imports most of its food needs, Indonesia is seen as having significant potential to become a food supplier for the Lion City. “I had a very good discussion with the Minister (Amran). The Minister patiently explained to me the progress and developments that have been achieved in the agricultural sector in Indonesia,” she said. “(Indonesia) has seen an increase in crop yields, a very impressive increase in productivity. There are many areas that Indonesia has invested in, in terms of research and development, technology, seeds, equipment, and mechanisation that have enabled the country to see an increase in production,” Grace added. She expressed optimism that food sector collaboration opportunities between the two countries could be further expanded. “I am very pleased to explore this potential further with the Minister of Agriculture in the days to come. So, I am very pleased with this meeting. Thank you very much,” she said. On the same occasion, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman revealed that the government had offered to export a minimum of 10,000 tonnes of rice to Singapore. The proposal was conveyed directly when receiving Grace Fu’s visit at his office. “We received a guest today, the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment from Singapore. We are building good cooperation, and God willing, we have proposed exporting at least 10,000 tonnes of rice,” said Amran. According to Amran, the cooperation includes not only rice but also other food commodities such as eggs and chicken meat. The two countries also discussed opportunities for agricultural technology exchange and increasing palm oil exports. “We will also increase eggs and chicken meat from Indonesia. So we are enhancing this cooperation. We requested an exchange of technology. Also palm oil, our exports, so we collaborate,” he said. Amran stated that the rice export plan is driven by the government’s rice reserves, which currently stand at 5.1 million tonnes. This amount has exceeded the government’s warehouse capacity. “We are enhancing this mutually beneficial cooperation because our stock today is 5.1 million tonnes. Our warehouse capacity is only 3 million tonnes, so we have rented storage for 2 million tonnes. God willing, we will export a minimum of 10,000 tonnes to Singapore,” he said. He added that this would not be Indonesia’s first rice export. “Not the first, we have done it often, Malaysia and Singapore are close,” he revealed. Amran explained that the export scheme being explored is not government-to-government, but rather through business cooperation. “Yes, private sector. The stock is from the state-owned enterprise (Bulog). This is a plan from the state-owned enterprise to the private sector,” he clarified. When asked if the export could be realised this year, Amran replied briefly, “Yes, hopefully.”