Confirmed! Indonesia Exports 2,280 Tonnes of Premium Rice to Saudi Arabia Using 3 Vessels

Indonesia has begun exporting rice to Saudi Arabia to meet the consumption needs of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the 2026 hajj season. Through Perum Bulog, 2,280 tonnes of premium rice will be shipped gradually to the Holy Land.

The export ceremony took place at Bulog’s Kelapa Gading warehouse in Jakarta on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, and was attended by Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Member of Parliament Abdul Kharis of Commission IV, Director General for Hajj and Umrah Ecosystem Development Jaenal Effendi, Senior Secretary of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Sarwo Edhy, and Bulog’s directors.

Bulog’s President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani explained that the total rice exports for this year’s hajj needs amount to 2,280 tonnes. The volume is aligned with the needs of the Indonesian hajj pilgrims, estimated at around 215,000.

‘The total export of hajj rice is 2,280 tonnes. This is in line with the request from the Hajj Ministry, in accordance with the number of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims this year at about 215,000,’ he said.

He noted the rice exported does not come from old warehouse stock, but from newly harvested crops by farmers that are processed directly into premium rice.

‘So the rice we process is freshly harvested from the fields, not rice that is already in the warehouse, but rice we harvest in the fields. After harvest, it is dried and transported to silos at the processing facilities — Wilmar or our own — we dry it and immediately process it into premium rice,’ he said.

Rizal added that the quality of the exported rice is very high. The breakage rate is below 5%, around 4%, with moisture content below 14%.

‘This is premium rice with a breakage rate below 5%, in fact around 4%. The moisture content is below 14%. So in our view this is super-premium rice that Bulog has produced. Historically Bulog’s premium rice had a breakage rate of 15%,’ he explained.

For delivery, Bulog will use three different ships. The three vessels come from international and domestic shipping companies.

‘We will use three ships: Hyundai Unity, Wan Hai, and Kota Sejati,’ he revealed.

The shipments are planned to commence on 7 March, once all ships are ready.

‘We plan to depart around 7 March, waiting for our ships to be ready. God willing, this should proceed smoothly. Despite the ongoing conflicts in the Arabian Peninsula, we hope there will be no problems,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said the export is an important milestone as it comes while national rice stocks are at high levels.

‘This is the first export to Saudi Arabia. It is a good moment because our production and stock today total 3.7 million tonnes,’ Amran said on the same occasion.

According to Amran, the stock is among the largest in history for the March period.

‘That is the largest in our history for stocks in March,’ he added.

He also said the government is beginning to explore export opportunities to several other countries as domestic production rises.

‘We are exporting now, and we are looking at several countries: Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and the Philippines,’ Amran said.

He hoped Indonesia’s rice exports could continue to rise, including to meet the needs of Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, whose potential is estimated to be much larger.

‘Hopefully in the future we can export even more. But for our pilgrims, Saudi Arabia is estimated at between 20,000 and 50,000 tonnes. Then to other countries. For now, 2,280 tonnes,’ he said.

The rice to be exported comes from fresh paddy procurement by domestic farmers and is processed through modern Rice Milling Units (RMUs) that meet high standards. The product has undergone laboratory tests, meets international export standards, and is halal-certified.

The government also ensures that this export will not disrupt domestic rice availability. The Government Rice Stock (CBP) remains safely stocked so that the needs of the public are met.

Exports of rice for Indonesian pilgrims are also the first of its kind to be carried out on a special basis. The government views this move as showcasing Indonesia’s ability to supply premium-quality rice to international markets.