Rice Stocks at Bulog Probolinggo Warehouse Exceed Capacity

Perum Bulog’s Probolinggo branch warehouse is experiencing overcapacity. The rice stocks stored in warehouses located in Lumajang Regency, Probolinggo Regency, and Probolinggo City have reached 105,000 tonnes.

The Head of Perum Bulog’s Probolinggo branch, Kuswadi, stated that the total rice stocks currently stored in warehouses amount to 105,000 tonnes. The working area of Perum Bulog’s Probolinggo branch covers three regencies and cities: Lumajang Regency, Probolinggo Regency, and Probolinggo City.

Of the 105,000 tonnes of rice, 52,000 tonnes are stored in warehouses in the Lumajang region, whilst 53,000 tonnes are stored in warehouses in the Probolinggo City and Regency areas. Kuswadi did not deny the overcapacity issue. “We are already over capacity,” Kuswadi said when met with Tempo during a visit to the Petung Bulk Rice Warehouse in Kedungjajang District, Lumajang Regency, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

Kuswadi stated that the 105,000-tonne rice stock stored in Bulog warehouses is sufficient for the next two to three years. Given that Bulog rice warehouses have already exceeded capacity, Kuswadi is taking measures, including renting additional warehouses. “We have already taken steps to rent warehouses at several locations. We are also cooperating with partners to borrow their warehouses to store Bulog rice,” said Kuswadi.

Kuswadi stated that in the near future, they will release a portion of rice reserves for distribution to the public and the market. “We will distribute for food assistance and the national movement approximately 10,000 tonnes. The plan is to complete this by mid-April,” said Kuswadi, whose office is located in Probolinggo City.

Meanwhile, despite experiencing overcapacity, Bulog’s Probolinggo branch continues to absorb rice-equivalent commodities. “We have absorbed 23,000 tonnes of grain equivalent against a 74,000-tonne target for 2026. And to date, we continue absorbing until the end of the year,” said Kuswadi.

For absorbed rice commodities, Bulog sets quality requirements including a minimum milling degree of 95 per cent, maximum broken rice of 25 per cent, maximum small grains of 2 per cent, maximum moisture content of 14 per cent, and freedom from pests and foreign materials. For grain, however, any quality is accepted. “Grain of any quality but in the form of grain that has truly matured on the tree, not affected by disease or lodge,” he said.

Kuswadi stated that in the context of absorbing farmers’ grain and rice, Bulog also continues to educate the community. “So that grain sent to Bulog has standard quality in accordance with SNI standards,” he said.