“Rice prices have gradually declined in 150 districts and cities,” he said during a working meeting with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Tuesday (September 16).
According to him, the price drop reflects effective upstream–downstream coordination and close monitoring of distribution, which significantly affects national food price stability.
He explained that the government monitors each region with high rice prices, where the state-owned logistics company Bulog distributes rice through the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program as well as premium rice according to public demand.
Sudaryono noted that Bulog also supplies premium rice for specific groups. He stressed that ensuring premium rice availability is essential, as some consumers require higher-quality rice. Bulog therefore plays a dual role: stabilizing prices while meeting commercial needs.
He believes this strategy helps curb prices and maintain supply, especially in areas that still need more intensive intervention by Bulog and the government.
The government aims to maintain rice price stability nationwide, protect farmers, and ensure consumers can access rice varieties suited to their purchasing power, Sudaryono remarked.
Bulog has also pledged to prevent shortages of both SPHP and premium rice in modern retail stores.
During an inspection by Bulog and the National Police Food Task Force at Alfamart, Indomaret, and Grand Lucky in Jakarta’s Radio Dalam area on September 14, Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani confirmed that SPHP rice distribution is on track and stocks remain secure.
“We have done our best to distribute both SPHP and premium rice to Jakarta and surrounding areas, as well as across Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and even Maluku and Papua,” Ramdhani said.
SPHP rice is sold at the regulated price of Rp62,500 (US$3.70) per five kilograms.
Based on data from the National Food Agency’s Price Panel on Tuesday night, premium rice averaged Rp16,042 (US$0.95) per kilogram, medium rice Rp13,901 (US$0.82), and SPHP rice Rp12,569 (US$0.74) per kilogram.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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