Causes Of Mahal And Rare Rice According To Bulog President Director: There Is An Increase In Rice Prices

President Director of Perum Bulog, Bayu Krisnamurthi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi said that one of the causes of scarcity in a number of modern retailers and high rice prices that almost occurred throughout Indonesia, was triggered by rising grain prices in all production centers.

"At the producer level, the amount of unhulled rice is already Rp. 8,000 in the rice price production area, which is already Rp. 15 thousand. This is happening throughout Indonesia, practically in all production centers," said Bayu during a discussion with a number of media crews regarding the latest Indonesia Fiscal Condition Data and Facts in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, February 13.

He said that almost all parts of Indonesia sell rice above the highest retail price (HET) that has been set. Sales are currently in parts of Indonesia reaching Rp. 15,000 to Rp. 16,000 per kilogram (kg).

The government has set HET at IDR 13,900 per kilogram, while for the government purchase price (HPP) it is IDR 5,000.

Bayu conveyed some data on the price of unhulled rice from farmers and rice prices at production centers in parts of Indonesia which were taken based on data as of February 12, 2024, including Indramayu, the price of unhulled rice was sold at IDR 7,350. Then the price of premium rice was IDR 15,400

Then in Karawang the price of unhulled rice is Rp. 7,150, while the price of premium rice is Rp. 14,333; in Banyumas the price of unhulled rice is Rp. 8,500, the price of premium rice is Rp. 15,000.

Then, in Sragen the price of unhulled rice is Rp. 8,100, the price of premium rice is Rp. 14,200; in Ngawi the price of unhulled rice is Rp. 8,200, the price of rice is Rp. 15,700; in Sidrap, South Sulawesi, the price of unhulled rice is Rp. 7,900, the price of premium rice is Rp. 14,050

"So the condition of the price of unhulled rice that has reached above Rp7,500 occurs in almost all production centers. Of course we don't use censuss, we just take cases, but the price is usually not much different from the others," said Bayu.

Meanwhile, related to the scarcity of rice, the Food Supply and Price Stabilization program (SPHP) in a number of modern retailers is reluctant to sell rice that violates HET.

" Modern retailers don't dare to violate HET, why don't you dare? Because it's about their reputation, so if someone gets caught and photos, it will cause problems for the modern retailer," explained Bayu.

He gave an example, if there is Alfamart that violates the HET provisions, then all Alfamart will be affected because the person responsible is the management of Alfamart.

"The entrepreneur will definitely think how long they will be, so they will then start reducing the supply to modern retailers," said Bayu.

He admitted that traditional markets do have rice stocks, but the price of rice is expensive above HET.

This is the picture of our current situation. In the midst of conditions like this, what Bulog's role is. Bulog's role as it is known is that there are three, our task must be to stabilize and provide alternatives for those who need it the most," said Bayu.