DIGIVESTASI - The government canceled the import of one million tons of rice from China because the price was too expensive. Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi said the government will import rice from Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. 
"No (from China). Not included in the price. Not (so from China), not even from Myanmar," Arief said at the Presidential Palace, Wednesday (29/11).

Arif said the total rice imports from Myanmar reached 100,000 tons of the total additional rice import quota this year of 1.5 million tons. Arief explained that in addition to the 1.5 million rice quota, additional imports this year amounted to 1 million tons. The rest is expected to be completed by mid-January 2024. 

Of the millions of tons of imported rice, the majority comes from Thailand and Vietnam. 
"Most are from Vietnam and Thailand, around 40:40, the remaining 20 from other countries. "Eighty percent is from Vietnam and Thailand," Arief said.  

Perum Bulog CEO Budi Waseso previously said China was ready to help Indonesia meet its rice needs during the El Niño-induced famine. Budi said the Bamboo Curtain country is committed to providing support of 1 million tons of rice to help Indonesia. The offer of support to Jokowi has been conveyed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Yesterday the President (Jokowi) and the President of China spoke and China is ready to help Indonesia when Indonesia needs it. "China is ready to support up to 1 million tons," Budi said in Tanjung Priok, Thursday afternoon (12 October). 
Budi said that China's proposal is a breath of fresh air for Indonesia, which is trying to increase its rice reserves. 

Moreover, this offer comes at a time when India, one of Indonesia's main rice suppliers, has closed its exports. 
"I said that we must often be grateful because there are still countries that supply and are willing to export rice for the benefit of Indonesia. This is because India is still closed to exports so we cannot get goods from India," he said.