Export of 2,280 Tonnes of Rice to Saudi Arabia, Academics Say It Demonstrates Indonesia's Sustainable Self-Sufficiency
Jakarta – The Indonesian government’s move to export its inaugural shipment of rice totaling 2,280 tonnes to Saudi Arabia has been welcomed by academics. The export is seen as a strong indicator that national rice production has reached a sustainable level of self-sufficiency.
Hermanto Siregar, Rector of Perbanas Institute, said the success of the rice export is inseparable from a significant increase in national rice production over the 2025–2026 period. He estimated that Indonesia’s rice surplus this year could reach around 17 million tonnes, described as the largest achievement in the history of national rice production.
‘The production is exceptionally strong. This year’s self-sufficiency is the strongest in history, and government rice stocks have reached 4.2 million tonnes,’ he said on Thursday (5 February 2026).
High Production Opens Export Opportunities
Hermanto argued that with rising production and strong government rice stocks, Indonesia is now not only able to safeguard domestic food security but also to expand its role in global markets through rice exports. However, he warned that the success of self-sufficiency should not be reflected in production figures alone. He said the success must have a real impact on farmers’ welfare.
‘This is what we are waiting for—so that going forward what farmers do can truly return to the farmers themselves. There must be a real impact on domestic income and the welfare of farmers,’ he stressed.
He hopes this momentum of rice exports can be maintained through consistent policy, a strengthened distribution system, and sound management of food reserves. ‘It must be safeguarded so that self-sufficiency remains sustainable,’ he said.
IPB Analyst: Rice Exports a Key Milestone
A similar view was expressed by Prima Gandhi, an agricultural analyst at IPB University. He regards the inaugural rice export in 2026 of 2,280 tonnes to Saudi Arabia as a strategic move for Indonesia.
According to him, the export marks an important milestone in Indonesia’s journey to national food self-sufficiency and demonstrates the sustainability of the agricultural production enhancement programme carried out during the presidency of President Prabowo Subianto.
‘This export is concrete evidence that Indonesia’s rice self-sufficiency is not temporary but continues to advance in a sustainable and productive manner,’ he said.