Central Java Provincial Government and Bulog Prepare to Intervene in Essential Goods Prices
The government will implement a series of stabilisation measures in the event of price increases, including market operations and the participation of regional state-owned enterprises (BUMDs) to maintain price stability at the community level should price spikes occur, stated an official accompanying Trade Minister Budi Santoso during an inspection of prices and the availability of essential goods at Pasar Baru market, Kudus Regency, Central Java, on Thursday.
Should price increases occur, the official explained, price stabilisation will be pursued through market operations, followed by mobile BUMD interventions, which include the State Logistics Agency (Perum Bulog).
Meanwhile, the Central Java Regional Head of Bulog, Sri Muniyati, assured that Bulog’s food stockpiles in the Central Java region are sufficient to meet public demand.
She explained that the government’s rice reserves currently managed by Bulog in Central Java reach 515,722 tonnes of rice equivalent, a quantity sufficient to meet demand for the next five to six months.
Additionally, Bulog is currently distributing food assistance for February to March 2026 allocations totalling 101,000 tonnes of rice to communities in Central Java.
“These stocks are more than adequate through to five to six months ahead. We are currently entering the peak harvest season, so Bulog’s rice absorption will continue to increase,” she stated.
Sri Muniyati added that Bulog’s average absorption of paddy and rice in Central Java currently reaches 3,500 tonnes of rice equivalent daily, ensuring that food reserves will continue to grow.
Beyond rice, Bulog also controls stocks of Minyakita to meet public demand ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Currently, these cooking oil stocks in the Central Java region reach 9.5 million litres, for both commercial and food assistance programme purposes.
As part of price control efforts, Bulog is distributing rice under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation Programme (SPHP) and conducting various Cheap Food Movement activities in cooperation with district and city governments, the Indonesian Armed Forces, and the National Police.
Through these measures, the public is expected to obtain quality food ingredients at more affordable prices.
Sri Muniyati also urged the public not to panic regarding the availability of essential goods ahead of the holidays, as Bulog’s stockpiles are adequate.
“Bulog’s stockpiles are very strong, for both rice and cooking oil. God willing, prices will also remain stable. We are also providing SPHP rice and Minyakita through our network of partners in markets and beyond,” she said.
She also requested that the public promptly report any instances of essential goods being sold above the maximum retail price (HET), so that Bulog can immediately take action to maintain price stability in the market.