The Trade Minister Opens An Import Option Of 500 Thousand Tons Of Rice Again This Year

Minister of Trade Zulhas (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The government plans to reopen the rice import option this year. Although, the plan will be carried out if needed to meet the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) stock.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government could bring in imported rice again. The quota that was opened was about 500,000 tons of rice.

He said the option came after a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), including seeing the stock of CBP controlled by Bulog running low.

"So yesterday, led by the President, we have decided, whenever necessary we can enter again as many as 500,000 (tons)," he said in a Working Meeting with Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, written Thursday, March 16.

Regarding Bulog's rice stock, Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said it was targeted at 1.2 million tons this year. However, conditions are running low to 300,000 tons.

"Because Bulog's stock is usually 1.2 million (tonnes) now, if I'm not mistaken, it's only 300 (one thousand tons)," he explained.

Regarding rice imports, Zulhas admitted that he was ready to carry out the order if the hammer had been hit. Although, he admitted that it was difficult to import the rice.

Furthermore, Zulhas emphasized that import taps will not be opened in the near future, considering that currently entering the main harvest in various regions in the country.

Even though it's hard, because actually I don't agree with the imports, but there is no choice. Yesterday it was decided to return 500,000 (tons). But (implementation of imports) when (the time) is needed, because now it's a big harvest," he said.