At Least 33 Countries Urge Emergency Food Stockpiles; Indonesia Cites 25 Million Tons of Rice
With Britain and Japan among nations advising citizens to stockpile, Indonesia points to Bulog reserves and standing crops covering roughly ten months of demand.
At least 33 countries, including the United Kingdom and Japan, are advising citizens to prepare emergency stocks of food, water and medicine amid global supply chain disruption, according to Indonesian coverage of the trend published 1–2 November. Indonesia's weather agency BMKG recorded a very strong El Nino, with the Nino 3.4 index at +3.05 degrees Celsius for August–October, alongside a positive Indian Ocean Dipole.
The Agriculture Ministry and Bulog counter that Indonesia is secure: state logistics reserves stood at 4.5 million tons as of 26 October, standing crop is estimated at about 10 million tons and household-and-retail stocks at about 10 million more, for a total near 25 million tons, or roughly ten months of consumption. The Agriculture Minister said availability now stretches to July–August 2027, an update from earlier guidance of July only, while the government maintains it will not import medium-quality rice.