Kabapanas: Indonesia's Hajj Rice Exports to Saudi Arabia Signal Positive Implications for Self-Sufficiency

Jakarta — Andi Amran Sulaiman, head of the National Food Agency (Kabapanas), said that Indonesia’s Beras Haji exports to Saudi Arabia are a positive implication for achieving national rice self-sufficiency and demonstrate rising production and international market confidence. ‘This is a tangible action, not an illusion. We are exporting two thousand tonnes (2,280 tonnes), not importing 1,000 tonnes. So this is 2,280 tonnes being exported,’ Amran said in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday. Amran emphasised that the export strengthens the achievement of self-sufficiency for the commodity, which has been reached since late 2025. The government, through the National Food Agency, has tasked Perum Bulog to support the fulfilment of rice needs for Indonesian pilgrims and Haj officials this year. The initial rice export managed by Bulog is set to proceed and marks Indonesia’s strong rice stocks, which have reached a record self-sufficiency. In a letter signed by Kabapanas Andi Amran Sulaiman numbered 213/TS.03.03/K/02/2026 dated 27 February, Bulog is tasked to undertake export of rice for logistics drawn from the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) amounting to 2,280 tonnes with premium quality. Thanks to the CBP stock of 3.7 million tonnes, the export can be executed because domestic consumption needs are ensured. ‘This is the first export to Saudi Arabia. It is a good momentum and the largest in history for March,’ Amran said. Moreover, the government will expand rice exports by targeting other friendly nations so that domestic farmers’ produce is not solely destined for Indonesian Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. ‘We have approached several countries — Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Hopefully in the future we can export even more. But specifically for the pilgrims (Hajj and Umrah), Saudi Arabia is estimated to require between 20,000 and 50,000 tonnes. Then later to other countries,’ added Amran. The rice logistics for Haj pilgrims and officials in 2026 is estimated to serve a total of 205,420 people. Assuming a consumption of 170 grams of rice per person per day, that yields 2,280 tonnes of rice. In detail, according to data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the rice requirement is calculated based on the number of meals for pilgrims, totalling 78 meals in Mecca, 27 in Medina, and 6 in the Armuzna area (Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina). The standard quality of rice is premium grade with a 5 percent broken rate. Based on data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, previously Saudi service kitchens typically used rice from other countries at a market price of around 150 SAR per 40 kilograms, or about Rp16,824 per kilogram. Under the Nusantara Hajj Rice programme launched this year, it can supply at a more economical price than that. This innovative government measure is also a means of improving efficiency and standardising the pilgrims’ meals going forward. The Ministry plans pilgrims to receive a serving of rice weighing 170 grams per meal, accompanied by 80 grams of meat, 75 grams of vegetables, as well as mineral water and other accompaniments. Moreover, the rice to be shipped to Saudi Arabia is from the CBP stock managed by Perum Bulog, which to date has entirely comprised purchases from domestic production. The government ensures that the rice to be shipped is also freshly milled rice, sourced from early 2026 domestic harvest. It is understood that the release of rice took place at Bulog’s Kelapa Gading warehouse in Jakarta on Wednesday (4 March) as the start of stock gathering at Tanjung Priok Port. Shipment is planned to proceed on Saturday (7 March). Shipping will be phased to meet the stock target.