DIGIVESTASI - The Principal Secretary of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Sarwo Edhy, reminded the importance of vigilance regarding this year's rice surplus which is much lower than in 2023. He conveyed this warning when presenting the projection of the national food balance for the January-December 2024 period at the 2024 Inflation Control Coordination Meeting and the Acceleration of National Game Industry Development organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday (7/10/2024).

According to Sarwo Edhy, based on the calculated food balance, food stocks until the end of 2024 are estimated to still be in a safe condition. This includes important commodities such as rice, corn, soybeans, shallots, garlic, large chili, cayenne pepper, beef, broiler chicken meat, eggs, sugar, and cooking oil.

“Hopefully by the end of the fiscal year there will be no food problems, especially in terms of rice supply until the next harvest period,” Sarwo Edhy said, as quoted from the Ministry of Home Affairs' Youtube broadcast.

However, he emphasized the need to immediately intervene in several areas due to rice prices that have exceeded the Highest Retail Price (HET). This is especially true for medium and premium rice prices in Zone 3 and Zone 2, as well as medium rice prices in Zone 1.

Zone 1 covers Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, NTB, and Sulawesi, while Zone 2 covers Kalimantan, NTT, and most of Sumatra. Meanwhile, Zone 3 covers Maluku and Papua.

Sarwo Edhy also mentioned that the national rice surplus for the January-November 2024 period is estimated to only reach 270 thousand tons, a lower figure of 1.64 million tons or down 85.86% compared to the same period in 2023.

“Total rice production for January-November 2024 is projected to reach 28.60 million tons, 1.36 million tons lower or 4.54% lower than the same period last year. While rice consumption for the same period reached 28.33 million tons, up 280 thousand tons or about 1% compared to last year,” he explained.

Sarwo Edhy also reminded the importance of vigilance and emphasized that efforts to increase domestic production must continue to maintain the stability of food supply.

Based on the presentation, the national rice balance for January-December 2024 estimates the year-end stock to reach 8.13 million tons, with estimated production reaching 30.86 million tons, imports of around 4.31 million tons, and initial stock in 2024 reaching 4.13 million tons.

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