Redam Gejolak Ascension In Price, Bulog Gelontorkan 100 Thousand Tons Of Rice In Early January 2023

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Perum Bulog poured 100 thousand tons of rice through the Food Supply and Price Stabilization Program (SPHP) or known for market operations in early January 2023 to reduce the turmoil in rice price increases in the market.

"We urge the public not to worry because Bulog guarantees that rice needs are available in the community at affordable prices, even though on the market there is an increase in prices," said Bulog President Director Budi Waseso in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Thursday, January 19.

The increase in rice prices, he continued, was because the current condition had not yet entered the main harvest season. So the availability of goods in the market is not much so there is a slight price increase.

In order to maintain price stabilization, he said, Bulog according to the President's direction has issued instructions to all levels to ensure market operations (SPHP Program) which have been running smoothly in 2022 are increasingly being intensified in order to reduce price fluctuations in the market.

In addition, the policy of importing 500 thousand tons of rice through Perum Bulog aims to prevent the rate of increase in rice prices. With rice imports and the Government's Rice Reserve (CBP) supply being met, the price of rice in the market will certainly be controlled.

Budi Waseso emphasized that the arrival of imported rice has made the CBP stock in Bulog now 683 thousand tons and additional imported rice solely strengthen national rice reserves until the coming of the main harvest season in March 2023.

"This amount is sufficient for the needs of distribution up to the main harvest," he said.

In addition to getting additional imported rice stocks, he said, Bulog also continues and actively maximizes absorption at the time of the upcoming big harvest with the hope that all CBP stocks this year can be fulfilled from domestic production itself.

Bulog also continues to coordinate with the central and regional governments to keep rice prices at the consumer level in stable condition or not experiencing a high spike.