Minister ensures stable food supply during Eid holiday season
“We are grateful this Eid. Production is strong, stocks are sufficient, and prices are stable. Farmers continue producing, traders can sell, and people can buy at affordable prices,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that the government is maintaining price balance to protect farmers from losses while keeping food affordable for consumers.
“Food prices must not be too high, as that burdens the public, but also not too low, as that harms farmers. The government must maintain this balance,” he said.
Authorities are conducting cross-sector monitoring to prevent hoarding and price manipulation, particularly during Ramadan and Eid.
“This year’s Eid is a shared success and a blessing for all,” Sulaiman added.
He said national food stocks remain sufficient and prices stable ahead of and during the holiday period.
The conditions, he said, benefit all stakeholders—from farmers as producers and traders as distributors to consumers nationwide.
“Monitoring across traditional and modern markets shows staple prices are stable and supplies are adequate,” he said.
Sulaiman attributed the stability to coordinated efforts to boost production, strengthen reserves, oversee distribution, and manage prices.
He said rice stocks are robust, with government reserves at state logistics firm Bulog at around 4.09 million tons, while 11–12 million tons circulate in the market and about 12 million tons are expected from upcoming harvests.
Total national rice availability is estimated at about 28 million tons, equivalent to roughly 11 months of supply, supported by rising production.
Harvests across regions are peaking between February and April, reinforcing supply and stabilizing farm-gate prices.
“With production exceeding consumption needs, our rice supply is very strong,” he said.
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With monthly demand at around 2.59 million tons and production ranging from 2.6 million to 5.7 million tons, the rice balance remains in surplus.
He added that, based on the food balance through April 2026, key commodities are also in surplus, including rice at 27.5 million tons against demand of 10.3 million tons.
Bird’s eye chilies show a surplus of 105,000 tons, chicken meat 727,000 tons, and shallots 57,000 tons.
In addition, the national chili balance in March recorded a production surplus, with bird’s eye chilies exceeding demand by about 46,868 tons and large chilies by around 8,282 tons.
These conditions have helped stabilize chili prices, which are now trending downward in the market.
“When supply is ample and distribution runs smoothly, prices stay stable. That is what we continue to ensure,” he said.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji