Rice Demand for Zakat Doubles Ahead of Eid al-Fitr
BANYUWANGI — Rice demand is rising sharply ahead of Eid al-Fitr, with a particularly pronounced surge in packaged rice used extensively by the public for zakat donations.
This increase in demand has been felt by PT Ratu Pangan Sejahtera, a rice milling factory in Kabat Sub-District, Banyuwangi, East Java. Over the past few days, orders from retail shops have risen significantly.
Irwan Kuswanto, owner of PT Ratu Pangan Sejahtera, said the increase in demand has been noticeable over the past two days leading up to Eid al-Fitr.
“In the past two days, demand has risen by 100 per cent to increase stocks in shops ahead of Eid al-Fitr,” said Irwan when receiving a visit from Banyuwangi Deputy Regent Mujiono on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Normally, his rice mill produces approximately 250 to 300 tonnes of rice daily. This production is not only marketed in Banyuwangi but is also supplied to several other regions, including Bali.
The increase in demand ahead of Eid al-Fitr has prompted several shops to build up stocks earlier to anticipate a surge in public purchases.
Krisna Yudha, Deputy Head of Bulog Banyuwangi, said government rice reserves currently stored in Bulog warehouses amount to 100,000 tonnes.
“Banyuwangi’s rice stocks are very safe until the end of the year,” he said.
Additionally, Bulog’s paddy absorption programme in the region has reached 26,000 tonnes.
Deputy Regent Mujiono, along with Bulog, the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID), and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), also conducted surprise inspections of markets and rice mills to monitor prices and the availability of staple goods ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
According to Mujiono, monitoring results showed rice stocks in Banyuwangi are in surplus condition.
“Thank God, for rice, our stocks are very safe and even in surplus. This mill even supplies much of its production to areas outside the region,” said Mujiono.
During the inspection, the local government also monitored prices of several food commodities. Prices recorded included chicken at 38,000 rupiah, eggs at 30,000 rupiah, beef at 140,000 rupiah, shallots at 36,000 rupiah, and chilli at 97,000 rupiah.
“Some commodities like beef have risen, but this is expected as we approach Eid al-Fitr. However, other staple items such as shallots, garlic and eggs remain under control, and chilli prices are even trending downwards,” he added.