Preventing Integrated Distribution, The Government Is Asked To Consider Adjustments To Rice Quality Classification

The Ombudsman asked the National Food Agency (Bapanas) to consider adjusting the National Food Agency Regulation Number 2 of 2023 concerning Quality and Rice Label Requirements to harmonize with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 6128:2020. This is an effort not to potentially hinder distribution.

"This adjustment is important so that rice supply in the market is maintained. In the future, there needs to be a rice quality standard policy that provides incentives to improve the quality of rice production," said the member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Yeka Hendra Fatika, in his official statement, quoted on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Yeka revealed a number of problems in the rice trading chain. At the farmer level, current rice productivity in the area reaches an average of 5.5 tons per hectare, an increase compared to the previous two to three seasons which often experienced crop failure.

"However, it is unfortunate that the rice variety used by farmers is still found to be uncertified."

"In addition, the current price of unhulled rice has reached around Rp7,500" Rp8,400 per kilogram. This will certainly encourage an increase in rice prices as well so that the HET (highest retail price) of rice will be difficult to comply with," he said.

At the rice milling level, the competition for grain is getting tighter. In fact, it triggers a lot of small rice milling not to operate and some are already closed.

"Many rice milling blocks are empty and do not have a stock of grain or rice due to concerns from business actors about the current extortion trading trade system policy."

"Meanwhile, the price of rice in the market has increased by around Rp. 2,000' Rp. 3,000 per kilogram. The majority of rice is sold in bulk without quality labels," said Yeka.

To overcome this problem, the Government is asked to evaluate the implementation of the HET of rice according to real conditions, as well as foster and organize the rice milling industry to make it more modern, efficient, harmonious, and prosperous for farmers.

"In conditions of very high grain competition, the application of premium rice HET is considered ineffective, so it is recommended to be removed with a focus on controlling prices on medium rice," said Yeka.

Quality Standards And Rice Prices To Be Reformed

The government is reviewing changes in quality standards and prices for national rice. Head of Badanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi, said a number of options were being prepared to be submitted to the President through the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.

These steps were taken to realize a fairer, more transparent, and consumer-in favor regime.

"So, what the government is working on is how prices are formed and the quality of rice standards."

"Then the next one will also be about zoning. This will also be one of the things that must be discussed later."

"However, it is too early to inform what will be decided. We will definitely try our best for national relations," said Arief.

This transformation includes revisions to two regulations, namely the Bapanas Regulation Number 2 of 2023 concerning the Classification of Rice Quality (premium, medium, submedium, broken) and the Bapanas Regulation Number 5 of 2024 concerning the Highest Retail Price (HET) of Rice in Various Regions.