Bulog: Premium Rice Supply Meets Only 30 Percent of Demand, Export Hold Considered
Bulog's president director says premium rice supply currently covers only about 30 percent of demand, with modern retailers requesting 70–80 percent of their needs. The company is also weighing a hold or cut to rice exports over El Niño risks.
Bulog President Director acknowledged on 10 November that the company's supply of premium rice currently meets only about 30 percent of demand. Modern retail chains such as Alfamart and Indomaret have submitted requests covering 70–80 percent of their needs to the agency. The main constraints, he said, are limited raw material and average paddy prices above Rp8,000 per kilogram.
Premium rice distribution currently stands at around 320,000 tonnes. The company pledged a “breakthrough” to lift supply coverage to 50 percent “in the near future”, though it did not publish a methodology behind the figures, which are company statements.
In parallel, Bulog is considering holding back or reducing rice exports as an anticipatory measure against a prolonged El Niño. The company said any decision would follow consultations with destination countries and the National Food Agency. Affected export volumes were not specified.