Zulhas Asserts Food Security Safe Despite Middle East Conflict: We Do Not Import From There

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has assured Indonesians that national food stability will not be disrupted by escalating conflict or war in the Middle East. Zulhas emphasised that domestic food stocks are secure and sufficient for up to one year ahead.

He explained that the primary reason Indonesia’s food security is unaffected is because Indonesia does not depend on food supplies from countries in the Middle East region.

“It is safe even though there is war in the Middle East; our food is not affected because we do not import food from the Middle East,” Zulhas said when encountered at the PAN Democratic Party headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Zulhas outlined that essential commodities such as rice, corn, and chicken meat are already capable of being met through domestic production or self-sufficiency.

“We are self-sufficient in rice, self-sufficient in corn, chicken, fish, yes,” explained the PAN Party Chairman.

Regarding commodities that still require imports, such as wheat, Zulhas stated that their sources do not originate from conflict zones in the Middle East. This ensures that the wheat supply chain to Indonesia remains operating normally.

“What we import is wheat. Wheat does not come from the Middle East, but from Europe and Canada,” he said.

Zulhas urged the public not to feel anxious about the possibility of shortages of basic necessities amid a heating global geopolitical situation. He claimed that national food reserves remain very adequate in the long term.

“Sufficient for one year (of stock),” he added.