Bulog Medan increases SPHP rice distribution to maintain price stability

Perum Bulog’s Medan branch in North Sumatra is increasing rice distribution through the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation Programme (SPHP) as part of efforts to maintain price stability for the staple food.

Head of Perum Bulog Medan Branch Lutfillah Barus said SPHP rice is distributed through several channels, including people’s markets, the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) in cooperation with provincial and district/city governments, as well as the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri).

“In total, distribution to all partners reaches 150 tonnes of rice per day, an increase compared with the previous week, which was recorded at 100 tonnes per day,” Lutfillah said in Medan on Tuesday.

He said the increase in SPHP rice distribution is in line with rising public demand for the rice within his working area.

“The distribution is carried out in Medan City, Deli Serdang Regency, Tebing Tinggi City, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Langkat Regency, and Binjai City,” he said.

He said that to date, SPHP rice distribution realisation in his working area has reached 13,200 tonnes, or about 90 per cent of the 2026 target of 14,500 tonnes.

To ensure that SPHP rice is properly targeted and sold in accordance with regulations, the agency has formed a monitoring team tasked with checking and evaluating SPHP rice sales, including ensuring that prices comply with the government’s maximum retail price (HET) of Rp13,100 per kilogramme.

“Total food assistance to be distributed will reach about 21,000 tonnes and is targeted for completion by the end of September 2026,” he said.

According to him, the measure is expected to maintain rice supply availability, curb price volatility, and support inflation control efforts in Medan and other areas.