Indonesia's rice price index remains under control, Bapanas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Food Agency (Bapanas) has assured the rice Price Development Index remains under control in line with the strengthened national rice reserves of 5.2 million tons, aimed at maintaining food stability.

Bapanas Secretary Sarwo Edhy said according to the analysis that only 55 districts and cities across Indonesia saw a rise in their rice price index above the retail price ceiling for medium-grade as of early July 2026.

"The rest remain within the established retail price ceiling corridor for medium-grade rice," Edhy confirmed here in Jakarta on Thursday.

He affirmed the government continues to stabilise rice prices through targeted intervention programmes, supported by 5.2 million tons of rice reserves as of Tuesday (July 7).

Edhy added that with robust food reserves, rising production, stronger distribution channels, and solid collaboration; the government is optimistic that public food demands will be met and national food stability will be well maintained.

Furthermore, he highlighted Bapanas' confidence that rice price stability can be sustained despite the dry season or the impact of El Nino.

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According to the agency's records since January 2026, the government has used 1.36 million tons of rice reserves for nationwide interventions, including rice sold under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation and rice provided under the food assistance programme.​​​​​​​

In collaboration with regional governments and stakeholders, Bapanas has rolled out over 5,573 affordable food markets across 37 provinces and more than 378 districts and cities. The government has also decided to resume the rice assistance programme starting this July, covering a three-month allocation.

A total of 997,300 tons of rice will be distributed under this phase, bringing the government’s total rice assistance to at least 1.66 million tons by the end of 2026.

Previously, Bapanas' Head, also as agriculture minister, Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that rice is no longer the primary contributor to inflation.

"We have successfully curbed rice inflation over the past two years," Sulaiman said.

The national rice situation remains under control. This is reflected in Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, which showed a decline in the number of districts and cities experiencing a rise in their price development index as of the first week of July 2026.

Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics of BPS, Ateng Hartono, mentioned the number of districts and cities recording a rise in the index dropped to 113, down from 138 in late June 2026.

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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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