Food Aid Extended Until June as Bapanas Boosts Distribution
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has extended its food aid programme until June 2026 to curb price volatility, particularly for cooking oil Minyakita and rice, amid incomplete distribution. Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilisation I Gusti Ketut Astawa said food aid is a key government tool to control strategic staple prices, with Minyakita also being supplied to low-income communities. Minyakita is not a government subsidy but a contribution from domestic palm oil producers to meet domestic demand before export permits are granted.
“In anticipation of rising cooking oil prices, we have instructed Bulog to expedite food aid distribution, as current implementation is only around 34%. Following an economic coordination meeting, it was decided to extend the aid until June,” Astawa said on Sunday (24 May 2026).
He added that Bulog has been urged to accelerate aid delivery throughout May and June. “If distributed fully, this will help stabilise rice and cooking oil prices. The oil allocated for aid totals approximately 132,900 kilolitres—significant volume. Releasing it all by June will directly and indirectly control Minyakita prices,” he explained.
Bapanas noted that Minyakita’s national average price has been declining weekly up to the second week of May, though still slightly above the highest retail price (HET) of Rp15,700 per litre. As of 20 May, 46,200 kilolitres of Minyakita had been distributed to 11.5 million Beneficiary Families (KPM), with 86,800 kilolitres remaining to be delivered by mid-2026.
Government food stock reports show adequate cooking oil reserves, with Bulog managing 89,000 kilolitres and ID FOOD holding 700 kilolitres. “With the food aid, most citizens will no longer need to purchase cooking oil, as each KPM receives four litres. This is crucial,” Astawa stated.
He also supported the Ministry of Trade’s efforts to distribute Minyakita to markets, especially in Jakarta and Banten. Ten producers have committed to fulfilling Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) requirements by delivering all Minyakita to Bulog.
Previously, the extension of food aid was proposed for needy citizens and approved in a hearing between Bulog and the House of Representatives’ Commission IV. Bulog CEO Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said additional aid is vital to counter extreme El Niño impacts and maintain food security. “The hearing with Commission IV approved an extended food aid programme for the coming period,” he said during a meeting in South Jakarta on Friday (22 May 2026).