Bulog proposes 'Beras Kita Premium' programme to stabilise prices
State logistics company Perum Bulog has proposed a ‘Beras Kita Premium’ programme to help stabilise the price of premium rice, which has been rising in the market. Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said the proposal was put forward during a limited coordination meeting on food commodity price developments in Jakarta on Tuesday. “We are only proposing to create Beras Kita Premium,” Ahmad said after the meeting. According to him, the programme is designed with a concept similar to the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) programme, which has so far focused on medium-grade rice. He said the proposal arose because premium rice prices have increased, even though medium rice prices remain relatively stable. “Medium rice is safe and stable. Only premium rice has risen somewhat. Earlier I suggested in the meeting that a Beras Kita Premium programme be created, like the SPHP rice programme,” he stated. Ahmad mentioned that the proposed price for Beras Kita Premium would be around Rp14,900 per kg. He noted that the proposal is still at the discussion stage and has not yet received official approval. “Well, I have only just put forward a suggestion. It has not been approved yet,” Ahmad revealed. He said the programme would later utilise government rice stocks with a price stabilisation mechanism similar to SPHP, so that volatility in premium rice prices can be suppressed. The SPHP programme itself has so far been focused on maintaining the price stability of medium rice through the distribution of government rice reserves to the market. Based on data from the Ministry of Trade’s Market and Basic Needs Monitoring System (SP2KP), the national average price of medium rice was recorded at Rp13,766 per kg, while premium rice stood at Rp15,455 per kg. The Beras Kita Premium proposal is expected to become an additional instrument to maintain the affordability of premium rice amid rising public demand. Ahmad said the proposal is still being discussed with the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs and related ministries and agencies. “It is being discussed first. Hopefully it will materialise, so that later the premium rice price will fall. As soon as possible, so the public can be at ease,” he remarked.