"Based on task force monitoring, there has been a decline in 32 provinces," he said at a Cheap Food Movement (GPM) event at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta on Saturday.
His statement came in response to the surge in rice prices since June, which peaked in August.
According to data from the National Food Agency, the national average rice price stood at Rp15,595 (around US$0.95) per kilogram in May, rising to Rp15,747 in June, Rp16,046 in July, and peaking at Rp16,197 per kilogram in August.
This prompted the government to take strategic measures, primarily boosting SPHP rice distribution to stabilize prices.
While efforts to reduce prices are ongoing, the minister stressed that prices must not fall too low, as this would harm farmers.
He explained that while consumers should benefit from affordable prices, the government purchase price (HPP) for harvested dry unhusked rice should be maintained at Rp6,500 to protect both farmers and consumers.
Data from the National Food Agency shows that between August 1 and August 30, rice prices fell in 22 provinces, including Jakarta, West Java, Riau Islands, and Lampung.
The government aims to supply 1.3 million tons of subsidized SPHP rice by the end of 2025, with the retail price ceiling set at Rp12,500 to Rp13,500 per kilogram.
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Translator: Putu Indah, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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