Indef Assesses Stock and Distribution as Key to Food Price Stability

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Esther Sri Astuti, assesses that the availability of stock and smooth distribution are key to maintaining food price stability post-Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Esther states that rice price stability can serve as a reference for other commodities in preserving price stability. She believes this condition is supported by the government’s strong rice reserves managed by Perum Bulog.

“Bulog is optimising the absorption of farmers’ paddy during the main harvest and strengthening warehouse quality supervision. It is no wonder that rice prices are normal,” said Esther to ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday.

The rice stock managed by Perum Bulog is recorded at around 3.7 to 3.74 million tonnes at the beginning of March 2026.

With additional harvests in various regions, Bulog projects that rice stocks could increase to between 4.5 million and 5 million tonnes by the end of March.

According to her, this condition is the main factor making rice prices relatively more stable compared to other food commodities.

“This needs to be maintained so that food price stability is achieved,” she said.

In addition to stock factors, Esther emphasises that distribution is an important determinant in maintaining price stability.

According to her, even if the supply of commodities is sufficient, distribution disruptions could potentially drive up food prices.

“The government also needs to ensure the smooth distribution of goods and logistics so that prices remain stable,” she said.

This view aligns with government policies that emphasise the importance of maintaining a balance between stock availability and smooth distribution, including through the distribution of Stabilisation of Food Supply and Price (SPHP) rice and strengthening government rice reserves (CBP).

As of 25 March 2026, the National Food Agency records the price of SPHP rice at around Rp12,000 per kilogram, premium rice at Rp14,400 per kilogram, and medium rice at Rp12,200 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the prices of shallots and garlic are around Rp35,000 per kilogram each.

Esther assesses that the government needs to ensure that supply and distribution run in balance so that prices remain controlled in the medium term.