Indonesia exports 2,280 tonnes of premium Hajj rice to Saudi Arabia from 28 February

Indonesia’s state logistics agency Bulog will export 2,280 tons of rice for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia starting Feb. 28, marking the country’s first overseas shipment of domestically produced rice for Hajj pilgrims.

The shipment will be sent in two waves on Feb. 28 and March 4, following a limited inter-ministerial coordination meeting, Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said after the meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Monday.

The export is valued at about Rp150 billion (around US$9.6 million) and will depart from the Port of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta to the Port of Jeddah, with onward distribution to Hajj kitchens handled by local importers.

The two-stage delivery aims to safeguard logistics and ensure reserve supplies in case of disruptions during the voyage, which is estimated to take five to six weeks.

The rice meets premium specifications requested by Saudi partners, with a maximum broken rate of 5 percent and moisture content below 14 percent, ensuring high quality for Indonesian pilgrims.

“This is premium rice for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. This year, Indonesia demonstrates its ability to supply it independently,” Ahmad said.

The shipment is supported by coordination among several ministries and agencies, including the Trade Ministry, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the National Food Agency, and the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs.

Bulog said the export will not disrupt domestic supply, as it is backed by careful stock planning and sufficient national reserves.

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Translator: Aria Ananda, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak