JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono emphasized that Indonesia is entering a new phase of national food security with abundant rice stocks so that it is ready to expand exports and help friendly countries that need food.
"Indonesia is entering a new phase of national food security characterized by strong rice stocks, increasing production, and Indonesia's ability to export rice while carrying out international humanitarian missions," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 19.
He emphasized this after attending a working meeting and a public hearing (RDP) with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives regarding the absorption of rice at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.
Wamentan Sudaryono said that Indonesia is now not only focusing on meeting domestic needs, but is also beginning to expand its role as a food supplier for friendly countries, while still prioritizing national stock adequacy.
"We have sent 10 thousand tons of rice to Palestine. Then to Saudi Arabia about 2 thousand tons. In the future, we hope that not only Indonesian pilgrims during the hajj and umrah will consume Indonesian rice, but also pilgrims from other countries," said Sudaryono.
Even so, he emphasized that all export policies were carried out in a measured and careful manner so as not to interfere with domestic needs.
"All exports are carefully calculated. Don't let the domestic needs be disturbed," said Sudaryono, who is also the General Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers' Unity (HKTI).
Previously, Indonesia had recorded the first export of premium rice of 2,280 tons or worth Rp38 billion to Saudi Arabia to meet the needs of about 215 thousand Indonesian pilgrims.
In the future, the Saudi market is considered to have great potential, especially to meet the needs of umrah pilgrims and Indonesians living there, with a number of around 2 million people per year.
In addition to exports, the government also distributed humanitarian assistance in the form of 10,000 tons of rice for Palestine as a form of solidarity and follow-up to the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto.
Sudaryono said the government's optimism in expanding exports was supported by the condition of national rice stocks, which are currently at the highest level in history.
As of May 18, 2026, the government rice reserves (CBP) managed by Perum Bulog were recorded at around 5.37 million tons.
This amount not only serves as a buffer for national food security, but also gives Indonesia room to carry out exports and humanitarian assistance.
"Our stocks are abundant, already 5.3 million tons. The potential for production and absorption in the future is still very large," said Sudaryono.
The government estimates that even though the stock is used for the food supply and price stabilization program (SPHP), food assistance, provision of premium rice, to exports, the national rice reserve position at the end of 2026 will remain at a safe level.
"We predict that the stock at the end of December 2026 will remain in the range of 5 million tons, it could be slightly below or above. Because production continues and the need also remains," he explained.
In terms of production, the performance of national agriculture also shows a positive trend. Indonesian rice production in 2025 reached 34.69 million tons, an increase of 4.07 million tons compared to the previous year or an increase of around 13.29 percent.
With domestic demand of around 2.5-2.6 million tons per month, Indonesia is considered to have enough room to expand the export market without disturbing the stability of domestic supply.
Sudaryono also revealed that the government was exploring cooperation with a number of countries that had the potential to become new export markets.
"We have been exploring with several countries. Exports must be calculated commercially, starting from price to quantity. Currently, it is a process of business to business and the completion of an agreement," he said.
He added that this step was in line with the President's direction for Indonesia to help friendly countries that were experiencing food crises due to wars, international trade disruptions, and other global crises.
"If we are able, then we must be ready to help our friendly countries in need," he said.
Sudaryono gave an example, the policy is similar to the export of urea fertilizer which Indonesia had previously carried out to help the needs of a number of countries.
"If we have more stock and there are countries that need it, of course we will help," he concluded.
This achievement, added Sudaryono, further confirms the transformation of the Indonesian agricultural sector, which is now not only able to meet domestic needs, but also begins to strengthen Indonesia's position in the global food market as well as in international humanitarian missions.
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