DIGIVESTASI - The government has announced a number of strategies to stabilize the current high rice prices. These range from continuing the social assistance program in the form of rice market operations to strengthening inventory through accelerated import procurement.

Haryo Limanset, Coordination Spokesperson of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the government's initial strategy still relies on market manipulation, now called Stabilization of Market Supply and Prices (SPHP). SPHP is run by Bulog. Therefore, to address rising rice prices, this blog is directed at accelerating and optimizing the distribution of SPHP rice as well as accelerating its distribution in the market, Hariyo said on Tuesday (13 February 2024). In addition to market activities, Bulog is also tasked with accelerating the procurement and distribution process of imports.

Based on the blog's records, the amount of rice imports realized so far is around 500,000 tons, and this year will be allocated 2 million tons. Therefore, those who received orders from Bulog received instructions from Bulog to speed up the import and distribution process, Haryo said.

Finally, the food assistance program in the form of rice will also continue with the distribution of 10 kg bags to around 22 million beneficiary families (KPM). The program, which has been suspended since February 8, will resume tomorrow after the election on February 14, 2024. "For SPHP 220,000 tons, food aid allocation 179,000 tons, and rice imports in 2023 have been 2.6 million tons or 2023. Meanwhile, 2024 is only two months away. million tons," Haryo said, emphasizing that domestic production was 70,000 tons. 

In addition to market activities, Bulog is also tasked with accelerating the procurement and distribution process of imports. Based on the blog's records, the amount of rice imports realized so far is around 500,000 tons, and this year will be allocated 2 million tons. Therefore, those who received orders from Bulog were instructed by Bulog to speed up the import and distribution process, Haryo said. 

Finally, the food assistance program in the form of rice will also continue with the distribution of 10 kg bags to around 22 million beneficiary families (KPM). The program, which has been suspended since February 8, will resume tomorrow after the election on February 14, 2024.

"If SPHP is 220,000 tons, food aid allocation is 179,000 tons, and rice imports in 2023 are already 2.6 million tons or 2023. If 2024 is only two months away, 3.25 million tons, 1,000 tons. "Domestically, there will be 70,000 tons," said Haryo.

Through these various mechanisms, Hariyo hopes that supply can match demand and rice prices will stabilize. He also emphasized that fluctuations in rice prices and supply were not caused by the rice social assistance program launched by the government last year to combat the El Niño phenomenon. 

This means that when supply is met, demand is also met. Rice food assistance is part of fulfilling food supply and stabilizing prices, Haryo said. The Food Authority Price Committee today (Tuesday, February 13, 2024, data accessed at 1:04 p.m. GMT) rice prices have risen again. The price of premium rice was raised by IDR 50 per kg to IDR 15,800 and the price of Central America was raised by IDR 60 per kg to IDR 13,890. 

A week ago, on February 6, 2024, the price of premium rice was IDR 15,540 per kg and Central American was IDR 13,630 per kg. These prices are national daily averages at the retailer level. These prices are far above the maximum retail price set by the government, which is medium ranging from IDR 10,900 to IDR 11,800 per kg and premium ranging from IDR 13,900 to IDR 14,800 per kg, depending on the region.

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