Bapanas Prioritises SPHP Rice Distribution to Traditional Markets to Maintain Price Stability

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is prioritising the distribution of Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) rice to traditional markets as a measure to maintain price stability and strengthen rice availability for the public. “The distribution of SPHP rice continues, with traditional markets being prioritised as the main distribution points,” said Maino Dwi Hartono, Director of Food Supply and Price Stabilisation at Bapanas, in Jakarta on Tuesday. He stated that traditional markets are the main priority for SPHP rice distribution because they serve as a barometer for rice price movements in various regions. While SPHP rice distribution can essentially be carried out through eight distribution channels, the government has designated traditional markets as the primary point to maintain price stability at the consumer level. According to him, distribution through the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) is still permitted, but distribution to traditional markets is prioritised so that government intervention is more effective in controlling prices. Traditional markets are considered the reference point for monitoring rice price developments because price movements in these locations reflect the real conditions faced by the public in various regions. “This is the barometer for price monitoring by our colleagues at BPS (Statistics Indonesia). This is likely our priority,” he said. Bapanas is also encouraging regional governments to optimise the distribution of SPHP rice to traditional markets that have not yet been reached or still have a limited number of traders, so that price stabilisation can occur more evenly. “We ask for assistance from regional governments; markets that may not yet have received SPHP rice distribution or have only a few traders, this can perhaps be maximised,” Maino explained. Bapanas noted that the realisation of SPHP rice programme sales for 2026, covering the period from March to 29 June, has reached 393,400 tonnes out of this year’s national target of 828,000 tonnes. This achievement is progressing according to the distribution stages set by the government. According to Maino, the realisation is on track with the target. The next focus is to strengthen distribution in locations that have the greatest impact on rice price stability. The distribution of SPHP rice is carried out by Perum Bulog under assignment from Bapanas. The rice is distributed in 5-kilogramme packages with medium-quality rice that has a broken grain rate of around 25 percent and a moisture content of 14 percent, in accordance with government standards. SPHP rice is sold according to the highest retail price (HET), which is Rp12,500 per kilogramme for Zone 1 (Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi); Rp13,100 per kilogramme for Zone 2 (Sumatra excluding Lampung and South Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan); and Rp13,500 per kilogramme for Zone 3 (Maluku, Papua). The distribution of the SPHP rice programme in 2026 is carried out throughout the year without pause, differing from the previous year’s pattern which was periodic, following peak harvest times to maintain prices at the farmer level.