The Increase And Scarcity Of Imbas Rice Has Not Yet Entered The Harvest Period In Indonesia

Agriculture (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The price of rice that is still high is still a polemic among the community. It's not just a matter of high prices, now some modern retailers are running out of stock.

Agricultural Observer of the Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI) Khudori said the scarcity and increase in rice prices in early 2024 occurred because Indonesia had not yet entered the harvest period.

Thus, farmers do not yet have sufficient rice supply to meet the needs of the people in the country.

"Domestic rice production is still limited. Currently, it is still compact and approximately until April (2024). The harvest is likely only at the end of April or early May 2024," Khudori told VOI, Thursday, February 22.

Khudori explained, based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), rice production in January-February 2024 is still relatively small.

"The two-month production is still less than 2.8 million tons to cover consumption needs in the two months," he said.

He added that the current rice condition is crucial because there is an imbalance between supply and demand. Moreover, a large harvest is predicted to only occur in March with a surplus estimated at 0.97 million tons.

However, Khudori assessed, this surplus will also be a struggle for many parties, especially to fill the distribution nets which were previously dry due to famine.

"This is indeed crucial, in March there will be Ramadan and April Eid al-Fitr. It is important for the government to ensure adequate rice supply. If not, potential prices will increase and can cause noise, and even have an impact on social-political issues," he said.

Based on data from the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Price Panel, Thursday, February 22, the price of premium rice rose slightly by 0.37 percent to Rp16,270/kg and medium rice rose 0.64 percent to Rp14,230.

Even so, the price of rice soared well above the Highest Retail Price set by the government in the National Food Agency Regulation (Perbadan) Number 7 of 2023, which is IDR 13,900-IDR 14,800 per kg for premium rice and IDR 10,900-11,800/kg for medium rice.