First export of 2,280 tonnes of premium rice to Saudi Arabia, Agriculture Minister Amran: Real action, not illusion
The government has released the first export of Premium Government Rice Reserves (CBP Premium) to Saudi Arabia, comprising approximately 2,280 tonnes. The shipment was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, at the Bulog warehouse on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Minister Amran emphasised that this export marks a new milestone for the national rice sector. “This is the first export to Saudi Arabia. It is a good momentum because of our production. Our stock today is 3.7 million tonnes, and March is the month with the largest stock in our history. Now we are exporting. We have been exploring several countries: Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and the Philippines,” he said.
Amran added that the initial export volume reached 2,280 tonnes, valued at Rp38 billion. He stressed that this is a concrete government action to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a rice-producing nation. “This is 2,280 tonnes—2,000, not 1,000 tonnes. This is real action, not illusion,” he insisted.
The inaugural export is intended to meet the rice needs of around 215,000 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Looking ahead, the potential market is even larger as it also covers Umrah pilgrims and Indonesian residents (muqimin), numbering around 2 million people per year.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, Indonesia has explored opportunities to export rice to other countries, such as Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Amran stated that the annual rice requirement for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is estimated at 20,000 to 50,000 tonnes per year. “Hopefully, exports can be increased in the future. Specifically for the needs of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia alone, it is estimated to be between 20,000 and 50,000 tonnes,” he said.
Perum Bulog President Director, Lieutenant General (ret.) Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, said the rice shipped is CBP Premium, with high quality. “This Hajj rice is the best we provide, with premium quality. The broken rate is five percent, moisture content below 14 percent. Previously, premium rice in Indonesia had a 15 percent broken rate; this is five percent,” Ahmad concluded.
Production is being carried out across four processing facilities, namely Wilmar Serang, other Wilmar units, and Bulog processing units in Karawang and Subang.
Exports are scheduled to commence on 7 March 2026, supported by international shipping and domestic exporters, including Hyundai’s fleet and domestic shipping companies.
The export follows a Limited Coordination Meeting (Rakortas) chaired by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs on 23 February 2026. In that Rakortas, Perum Bulog was tasked with managing the Government Food Stock (CPP) not only for domestic stabilisation but also to support the Hajj operation through rice exports.