The rice stocks are being held by traders and state logistic agency (Bulog), Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said here on Thursday.
The traders could keep the commodity for more than three months, provided they have registered their warehouses, he noted.
"The (rice) stocks are enough to last till the next year. The stocks are being held by traders and Bulog. Traders are prepared to augment their rice stocks once the harvest comes in, but they should not be accused of hoarding the commodity," he explained.
The government actually put in place a price control instrument through Presidential Regulation No. 71 of 2015, concerning pricing and storing of foodstuffs, he disclosed.
As of now, traders are holding an estimated 15-18 million tons of rice stocks, enough to meet needs until May 2017, while Buolg now holds 1.75 million tons.
The government claimed that as a result, domestic rice supplies have been secured.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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