Premium Rice Scarcity: Modern Retailers Speak Out
Premium rice stocks in several modern retail outlets in Central Jakarta have begun to dwindle. Based on observations at three major retailers—Alfamart, Indomaret, and Hero—the selection of available premium rice appears limited.
At Alfamart, monitored shelves only provide SPHP rice, as premium rice stocks are no longer available. Meanwhile, Indomaret still offers several options, whereas at Hero, only Shirohana premium rice in 5kg packages priced at Rp175,000 remains. Hero staff noted that other premium rice stocks are depleted.
The General Chair of the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo), Solihin, admitted that the supply of premium rice entering modern retail is very minimal. According to him, the primary issue is not a lack of premium rice in the market, but rather that prices from producers and distributors have risen above the Maximum Retail Price (HET) of Rp14,900 per kg, making it impossible for retailers to absorb the stock.
“It is true that for premium rice in modern retail, which must adhere to the HET of Rp14,900 per kg, stocks are very minimal. This is because shipments from suppliers at prices matching the HET are very few. Outside of the modern market, stocks are very abundant,” Solihin told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (11/9/2026).
“Premium rice is plentiful, but the supply that can be sold at the HET price is what is missing,” he added.
Solihin explained that modern retailers are required to sell premium rice at a maximum price of Rp14,900 per kg. While premium rice is widely available in traditional markets and wholesalers, the prices there have exceeded the HET.
“In modern retail, sales must follow the HET of Rp14,900 per kg. So the question is, does premium rice exist? Yes, plenty, but not in modern retail because they are mandated to sell at the HET. If you want to buy in traditional markets or wholesalers, there is plenty, but the price is above the HET,” he clarified.
He noted that this condition makes suppliers uninterested in supplying premium rice to modern retail networks, as the purchase price from distributors is already higher than the government-permitted selling price.
“No one wants to enter the market. Because modern retailers must buy at a price higher than the HET,” he said.
When asked if distributor prices have indeed risen above the HET, Solihin confirmed this. This situation prevents premium rice from being sold in modern retail despite its availability elsewhere.
“Yes, because modern retail must sell at the HET, they cannot stock it. They can bring it in, but they cannot sell it,” Solihin emphasised.
Bulog Ready to Supply Premium Rice
To address the supply shortage, Solihin stated that Perum Bulog will soon release premium rice for distribution through modern retail.
“God willing, Bulog will release premium rice in the near future,” he said.
According to Solihin, this move follows instructions from the government via the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs. He stated that Bulog’s premium rice supply to modern retail will be implemented as soon as possible.