Bulog currently holds 875 thousand tons of rice stocks, he told a press conference here on Monday.
"The government has assigned Bulog to continue its rice market operation, and distribute rice social assistance (Rastra) including increasing the number of recipients and areas to return rice price to its highest retail price," he said.
He predicted the market operation will last until late February 2018.
"If the price begins to decline particularly at farmer`s level, the rice market operation will likely be reduced or stopped, if necessary, before late February 2018," he said.
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said the quantity of rice which has been distributed through market operations reached 84 thousand tons as of January 12, 2018.
He asked farmers not to worry about a decline in the price of rice and unhusked rice as Bulog will buy their rice and unhusked rice.
To stabilize rice price, Bulog sells rice according to the highest retail price during the market operations.
Reported by Calvin Basuki
(T.S012/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
