Amran States Food Prices Stable During Eid: Farmers and Traders Smile

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has ensured that national food availability is adequate and prices remain stable during Eid al-Fitr 1447 H or 2026. The momentum of Eid 2026 brings joy to all parties, from farmers and traders to consumers as the wider public. From observations in various traditional and modern markets across Indonesia, prices of various staple needs are monitored as stable with sufficient stock availability. According to him, the success in maintaining food stocks and price stability is the result of joint efforts in increasing production, strengthening food reserves, supervising distribution, and controlling prices in the market. “We want everyone to smile. Farmers smile because the prices of their harvest are good, traders smile because goods are available and can be sold, and the public also smiles because food prices are affordable. That is the government’s goal in safeguarding food,” said Amran in a written statement, quoted on Monday (23/3/2026). Regarding rice, Amran explained that the national stock position is very strong. The Government Rice Reserves (CBP) in Perum Bulog warehouses currently stand at around 4.09 million tonnes, with rice circulating in society at about 11-12 million tonnes, and potential harvests in the near future at around 12 million tonnes. In total, the national rice stock strength reaches about 28 million tonnes or equivalent to food security for around 11 months ahead. Meanwhile, national rice production also shows an increasing trend. The main harvest in various regions is showing encouraging results, considering that March 2026 is the time when the main harvest occurs. This production increase strengthens national stocks while maintaining gabah price stability at the farmer level. “Our production is increasing, the main harvest is occurring in many regions, February, March, and April have harvests in various areas, so national rice stocks are very strong. Our production is already above national consumption needs,” Amran continued. With national rice needs at around 2.59 million tonnes per month and monthly production ranging from 2.6 to 5.7 million tonnes, the national rice condition is in a surplus position. Amran also conveyed that based on the national food balance until April 2026, several strategic commodities are in surplus condition. Recorded, rice with availability of 27.5 million tonnes, needs 10.3 million tonnes, resulting in a surplus of 17.2 million tonnes. For bird’s eye chillies, Amran said availability reaches 409 thousand tonnes, needs 304 thousand tonnes, resulting in a surplus of 105 thousand tonnes. Similarly for chicken meat, with availability of 2.07 million tonnes, needs 1.34 million tonnes, surplus of 727 thousand tonnes. Meanwhile, shallots have availability of 479 thousand tonnes, needs 422 thousand tonnes, surplus of 57 thousand tonnes. In addition, the national chilli balance in March also experiences production surplus, with red bird’s eye chillies surplus around 46,868 tonnes and large chillies surplus around 8,282 tonnes. This condition makes chilli prices start to stabilise and tend to decrease in the market. “If production is surplus and distribution is smooth, then prices will be stable. That’s what we continuously maintain, from upstream to downstream,” said Amran. Amran emphasised that the government continues to maintain price balance so that farmers do not suffer losses and the public still gets affordable food prices. “Food prices must not be too high because it burdens the public, but also not too low because it disadvantages farmers. The government must maintain that balance,” he stressed. Price monitoring is carried out jointly across sectors to prevent hoarding and price manipulation, especially during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr momentum. Amran conveyed that the strong national food condition and stable prices make Eid al-Fitr 1447 H a joy for all parties in the national food chain. “This year’s Eid we give thanks together. Production is good, stocks are sufficient, prices are stable. Farmers continue to produce, traders can trade, the public can buy at affordable prices. This year’s Eid is a victory for all, happy celebrating Eid al-Fitr, blessings for all,” Amran concluded.