Zulhas Clarifies Origins of 1,000 Tonnes of Rice Imports from America

Jakarta — Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has addressed concerns regarding rice imports from the United States, which form part of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). According to Zulhas, the imported rice constitutes specialty varieties rather than staple consumption rice.

“The 1,000 tonnes is an agreement concerning specialty rice… there is Japanese rice, basmati rice, which are called specialty rice. There is also rice for specific needs such as for diabetes patients,” Zulhas stated.

The 1,000-tonne rice import has drawn scrutiny amid government claims that domestic rice production has achieved a surplus, negating the need for imports.

In clarifying the matter, Zulhas emphasised that the rice imported from the United States differs from the types commonly consumed by the public.

“Clearly it is not that rice, not for our food consumption,” he added.

Zulhas further explained that specialty rice varieties such as Japanese rice, served in restaurants, cost approximately IDR 100,000 per kilogramme, markedly different from standard consumption rice.

“It is expensive at over IDR 100,000 per kilogramme; who would purchase it? Only those eating at Japanese restaurants would buy it,” he concluded.