The sugar imports will be made in the period from March to May 2023.
"This morning, we witnessed the unloading of sugar, which is part of the task given by the government to ID FOOD for the stabilization (of stocks) for the 2023 HBKN," president director of ID FOOD, Frans Marganda Tambunan, said here on Saturday (April 1).
He informed that the sugar is being imported from Thailand and India.
ID FOOD will carry out the task of sugar procurement in stages in collaboration with the National Food Agency (NFA/Bapanas).
“For the first (arrival) is 2 thousand tons, and it is planned that before Eid al-Fitr, 40 thousand tons will arrive," he said.
He noted that the arrival of the 107,900 tons of sugar will be spread across three ports: Belawan Port in Medan, North Sumatra, Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, and Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java.
"The sugar will be distributed in accordance with the task from the government, the NFA, and the Ministry of Trade," he said.
In addition, NFA head Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that the process of importing sugar is expected to be complete before the end of May because the mill season will start in June.
He also affirmed that the NFA will ensure that the price of sugar is in accordance with the retail price ceiling (HET) set by the government.
"Especially for sugar, there is a reference price; last time, it was at Rp13,500. For several areas, it was at Rp14,000 to Rp14,500; we are continuing to monitor it," he added.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Raka Adji
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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