Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has ensured that the rice stock rotation period will be kept to a maximum of six months to maintain the freshness and quality of rice distributed to the public.

“A maximum six-month rotation period is ideal to ensure that the public receives rice in its best condition,” Bapanas Chief Secretary Sarwo Edhy said in a statement here on Sunday.

Bapanas welcomed the directive from the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV, which asked state-owned logistics company Bulog to maintain proper rice stock rotation in its warehouses to preserve rice quality.

According to Edhy, the directive aligns with Bapanas’ policy of maintaining the quality of Government Rice Reserves (CBP) stored in Bulog warehouses.

He added that Bapanas will continue to strengthen coordination with Bulog to accelerate rice distribution through both the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program and the food assistance program.

Bulog’s initiative to expand distribution channels to various ministries, agencies, cooperatives, and regional governments demonstrates strong synergy between the central government and the state enterprise in balancing stock and prices, Edhy said.

“We appreciate Bulog’s ongoing efforts to increase SPHP rice distribution, including its support for national priority programs such as free nutritious meals,” he added.

This synergy, he further said, not only maintains price stability but also helps ensure the smooth circulation of stock in warehouses so that farmers' harvests in the coming year can be absorbed.

Based on Bapanas' record, as of the end of October 2025, the national rice stock managed by Bulog reached 3.9 million tons, nearing the all-time high record of 4.2 million tons achieved in June 2025.

Edhy asserted that this achievement is a key milestone in keeping national food reserves safe and strong, which also needs to be balanced with dynamic stock management to maintain the rice quality.

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