National food balance secure amid global turmoil, El Niño: Bapanas
“Based on the national food balance projection until May 2026, the availability of national strategic food commodities is in surplus and relatively secure,” Amran said during a meeting with the Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Tuesday.
He acknowledged that current geopolitical dynamics and climate change were the main factors affecting food production and distribution—underlining the need for anticipatory measures to maintain national supply stability.
Despite facing these challenges, the government ensures that the national food balance remains well-maintained, capable and sufficient to meet people’s needs.
The government recorded significant surpluses of several key food commodities, including rice (16.39 million tons) and corn (4.3 million tons) by May 2026.
Surpluses were also recorded in other commodities, such as consumer sugar (632,000 tons), chicken meat (837,000 tons), and chicken eggs (423,000 tons).
Furthermore, the government ensured the availability of food reserves through the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), which currently holds stocks of 4.6 million tons of rice as part of efforts to maintain national stability.
In terms of prices, food prices were relatively controlled during the fasting month of Ramadan. Although some commodities briefly exceeded the highest retail price (HET), they remained within reasonable limits.
Food inflation also showed a positive downward trend, from 2.5 percent to 1.58 percent in March 2026—indicating improving price stability.
To maintain food stability, according to Amran, Bapanas is taking strategic steps including the establishment of the food violation task force as well as rice and corn distribution under the food price and supply stabilization (SPHP) program.
Other significant steps include distribution of food aid to 33.2 million beneficiary families, massive implementation of the affordable food movement, facilitation of distribution from surplus to deficit areas, as well as strengthening price monitoring through a national food price panel.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Yashinta Difa