Rice Surplus Prompts Indonesia to Explore Exports to Malaysia and Papua New Guinea

JAKARTA - The government is beginning to explore Malaysia and Papua New Guinea as destinations for rice exports, following a surplus of the commodity domestically. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the government’s rice reserves (CBP) in Bulog warehouses now stand at 4.06 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the amount of rice circulating in society is currently nearly 12 million tonnes. This figure is still projected to increase to 28 million tonnes as rice harvests continue in the coming weeks. Sudaryono revealed that domestic rice production rose by around 13 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year. This achievement is predicted to continue into 2026, so rice reserves as a core and strategic commodity will once again be abundant. “Insha Allah, rice will also be very abundant. So, if last year’s production was sufficient, let’s say a surplus but no exports, this year Insha Allah we are heading towards exports,” said Sudaryono. Furthermore, he stated that Indonesia’s first rice exports abroad actually began in March 2026. Saudi Arabia imported 2,280 tonnes of rice on 4 March. Exports of rice to that country are needed, among other things, to meet the food needs of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.