Badanas Boss Asks Retail Entrepreneurs Not To Pull Rice To Split Unilaterally

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, asked modern retailers not to unilaterally withdraw broken rice products.

This step is important to maintain the availability of rice in the market and avoid stock vacancies that can trigger public unrest.

This statement was conveyed by Arief Prasetyo Adi while accompanying the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, during a working visit to Kekeri Village, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Saturday, August 2.

"The government wants to ensure that the quality of rice must be in accordance with what is stated in the packaging. If the packaging is premium, then the contents must be premium. For good quality rice, it must still be sold to the public. However, the price is lowered according to the broken price," said Arief in his official statement.

According to him, broken rice does not mean poor quality.

All business actors are advised to continue to distribute products that are suitable for consumption and not empty the shelves just for reasons of physical appearance of rice grains.

"Please adjust the price, so that the National Food Agency appeals, there is no need to empty the shelves. This rice is good, only the broken ones. Not the bad quality, only the more broken ones, so that the price can be lowered. All rice pangolins, all retailers, all markets, cannot lack rice," said Arief.

Arief ensured that the national rice stock was in very sufficient condition.

As of August 1, 2025, the rice stock in Perum Bulog's warehouse was recorded at 3.97 million tons, consisting of 3.95 million tons of government rice reserves (CBP) and 11,900 tons of commercial rice.

"Today, the total rice stock in Bulog is around 3.97 million tons. So don't worry, because the government's rice stock is large," he said.

In addition, the realization of rice absorption from domestic production has reached 2.78 million tons, or about 92.79 percent of this year's national absorption target set at 3 million tons.

Responding to the issue of quality and distribution of rice, Arief emphasized that the government will continue to monitor the quality of rice circulating in the market.

Arief said, accurate quality labeling and retail compliance with distribution provisions are part of the government's commitment to protecting consumers while maintaining market balance.