Buwas Assessment Of Government Rice Reserves In Bulog The Majority Of Imports

Bulog President Director Budi Waseso conducted an inspection of Cipinang (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The President Director of the Public Company (Perum Bulog), Budi Waseso, admitted that the majority of government rice reserves (CBP) managed by his company are imported supplies.

Furthermore, Buwas, Budi Waseso's nickname, said that the absorption in domestically produced rice is still minimal. This is because the peak of the new harvest will take place in March.

"Yes, the majority of rice reserves are imported and the most are in Java because the need (in Java) is also large," said Buwas when met in Kembangan, West Jakarta, Wednesday, January 8.

Currently, said Buwas, rice harvests have occurred at several rice centers. However, Bulog has not been able to absorb massively. This is because the harvest will be absorbed to meet the needs of the local market first.

Buwas ensured that Bulog's current stock of CBP was sufficient until after Eid in April.

"If there is no harvest, but if there is a harvest, we will see because this year's Bulog task absorbs 2.4 million tons," he said.

Based on the latest data from Bulog, until now the total rice stock controlled by Bulog is only around 529,000 tons. The stock is a combination of rice in warehouses, imported rice on the way, and rice which is in the process of being transferred between regions.

The amount of stock consists of 523.000 tons of CBP and 5,000 tons of commercial rice. Meanwhile, Bulog's total domestic production absorption during January only reached 10.000 tons and will continue to grow over the harvest period.