What Will Happen to Indonesia's Corn Harvest Until June 2026? BPS Says
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) estimates that dry corn kernel production with 14% moisture content (JPK KA 14%) from January to June 2026 will reach 8.33 million tonnes, a decrease of 0.23 million tonnes (2.69%) compared to the same period in 2025. This decline is occurring alongside weakened production in March and prospects for April-June, triggered by a shrinking harvested area.
On a monthly basis, corn production in March 2026 is estimated at 1.40 million tonnes, down from 1.64 million tonnes in March 2025. This reduction aligns with the decreased harvested area in the same period.
Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, Ateng Hartono, explained that the decline in corn production in March 2026 is inseparable from the smaller harvested area.
“In line with the harvested area overview for dry corn kernel production with 14% moisture content, in March 2026 it is estimated to reach 1.40 million tonnes, lower compared to March 2025, which was 1.64 million tonnes,” Ateng stated during a press conference on Monday (4/5/2026).
From the harvested area perspective, BPS recorded the harvested area for corn kernels in March 2026 at 0.25 million hectares, down from 0.29 million hectares in March 2025.
“Based on the results of the March 2026 KSA observations, the harvested area for corn kernels in March 2026 reached 0.25 million hectares. This figure is lower compared to March 2025, which reached 0.29 million hectares,” he elaborated.
For the subsequent period, the potential harvested area for April-June 2026 is estimated at 0.66 million hectares, a slight increase of 0.57% compared to the same period last year. However, cumulatively, the harvested area from January to June 2026 is estimated at 1.46 million hectares, down 2.51% year-on-year.
“The potential harvested area for corn kernels from April to June 2026 is estimated at 0.66 million hectares, an increase of 0.57% compared to the same period in 2025,” he clarified.
“Thus, the total harvested area for corn kernels from January to June 2026 is estimated at 1.46 million hectares, experiencing a decrease of 0.04 million hectares, or about 2.51% compared to January to June 2025,” he added.
BPS assesses that this cumulative decline in harvested area is subsequently pressuring first-semester 2026 production.
For the April-June 2026 period, corn production is estimated at 3.77 million tonnes, down 1.17% compared to the same period the previous year, resulting in total first-semester 2026 production of 8.33 million tonnes.
“The potential production of dry corn kernels with 14% moisture content from April to June 2026 is estimated at 3.77 million tonnes, experiencing a decrease of 0.04 million tonnes or 1.17% compared to the April-June 2025 period,” Ateng explained.
Thus, dry corn kernel production with 14% moisture content from January to June 2026 is estimated at 8.33 million tonnes, experiencing a decrease of 0.23 million tonnes. This figure declines by 2.69% compared to January to June 2025.
Ateng emphasised that the potential harvested area and production figures may still change according to field conditions, from pest attacks, floods, droughts to farmers’ harvesting times.
“The potential harvested area, including corn crops to be harvested not for kernels, for example, harvested young or for green fodder for livestock. These potential figures will certainly change, depending on current field observation conditions,” he concluded.