Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono said that discussions with the Malaysian government have already taken place, including meetings with Malaysian businesses interested in importing rice.
He added that Indonesia is currently awaiting Malaysia’s export mechanism before proceeding with shipments.
According to Sudaryono, Malaysian entrepreneurs have requested around 2,000 tons of rice per month, although this volume may be adjusted based on Indonesia’s supply capacity.
He emphasized that Indonesia will follow the agreed cooperation procedures and wait for Malaysia’s official follow-up before initiating exports.
Earlier, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said that Malaysia had expressed interest in importing rice from Indonesia due to rising prices in the neighboring country.
“They asked whether rice could be imported from Indonesia. However, I told them that for now we are focusing on maintaining our domestic rice stock,” he stated after meeting with Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Haji Mohamad Bin Sabu on May 22.
Sulaiman added that Malaysia's rice needs are high, while its domestic production currently meets only 40–50 percent of national demand.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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