RI not to import rice

RI not to import rice

JAKARTA (JP): State Logistics Agency (Bulog) head Beddu Amang
said over the weekend Indonesia would not import rice this year
despite a forecasted prolonged dry season.

"I doubt we'll import any rice this year, but we will of
course keep the domestic rice stock and prices under control,"
Beddu said after chairing a special meeting of provincial Bulog
chiefs on rice supply during the dry season.

Bulog has built up a rice stock of 1.84 million tons between
January and now, about 60 percent more than in the corresponding
period last year, Beddu said as quoted by Antara news agency
Saturday.

He said the stock would continue to increase up to the end of
the year "but at slower pace than it has so far".

He said Bulog's rice stock was the most it had in the last 10
years.

Existing stock is 3.2 million tons, enough to meet the
public's needs for six months, he added.

"So there is no reason Bulog would lose control over rice
prices," he said, adding that the agency was ready to fight any
inappropriate hikes in rice prices.

Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, this
year's rice production will reach 32.91 million tons, 0.92
percent less than last year. (icn)