Bulog President Director Budi Waseso: Rice Distribution Is Not Disturbed By The Bapanas Policy On Price Flexibility

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso ensured that Bulog rice distribution was not disrupted by the National Food Agency (Bapanas) policy regarding the flexibility of rice prices.

"Whatever the state's decision will not interfere with Bulog because Bulog will get the assignment of all financing later paid by the government," he said while reviewing the distribution of rice supply stabilization and food prices (SPHP) in the Cempaka Putih area, Central Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, March 15.

Buwas menyampaikan jika nantinya kebijakan Bapanas yang mencabut Surat Edaran Nomor 47/TS.03.03/K/02/2023 tentang Harga Batas Atas Pembelian Gabah atau Beras menimbulkan keselisih harga, maka penggantihan selisih akan dilakukan oleh pemerintah.

He also admitted that he was not worried that this flexibility would result in the private sector buying rice or unhulled rice prices from farmers at high prices because the government would soon formulate the highest retail price as it enters the main harvest season.

"Yes, it's okay, it's private, there will be rules too, the HET is also determined. If you want to buy it at the top price, you can, because if there is more production, it will go down by yourself," he said.

Previously, Badanas revoked Circular Letter Number 47/TS.03.03/K/02/2023 concerning Upper Limit Prices for Purchasing Grain or Rice to maintain the competitiveness of farmers.

Head of Badanas Arief Prasetyo said the reason for the revocation of the circular was after paying attention to the progress of rice production and the smooth supply of unhulled rice from farmers to rice mills.

"We hereby convey that the Circular Letter of the Head of the National Food Agency Number: 47/TS.03.03/K/02/2023 dated February 20, 2023 concerning Limit Prices on Purchase of Grain or Rice is declared revoked and no longer valid," he said as written in the circular document received in Jakarta, Thursday (9/3/2023).

The upper limit for the purchase of unhulled rice or rice previously stated in the SE is the Harvest Dry Grain (GKP) at the farmer level of Rp. 4,550 per kg and GKP at the milling level of Rp. 4,650 per kg.

Then, the milling dry rice (GKG) level is IDR 5,700 per kg and the price of medium rice at Perum Bulog is IDR 9,000 per kg.