Indonesia Traders Seek to Purchase 500,000 Tons of Rice
Published on: January 19, 2024.
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Indonesia Seeks 500,000 Tonnes of Rice in International Tender
Indonesia, January 18 – The Indonesian state purchasing agency, Bulog, has recently launched an international tender to purchase 500,000 tonnes of white rice. This tender aims to address the increasing demand for rice in the country, as severe droughts have significantly affected rice output. The offer deadline has been set for January 29, with the rice expected to arrive in February and March.
Accepted Origins and Specifications
The tender allows for rice from various countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Pakistan, India, and China. The requested rice should be of 5 per cent broken grade and sourced from the 2023/2024 crop. The rice should also have been milled no later than six months ago, ensuring its freshness and quality.
Addressing the Impact of Drought
Indonesia faced a severe drought in December 2023, leading to a significant decrease in rice output. Consequently, the country has been forced to increase rice imports to maintain food security. To tackle the issue, the Indonesian government has even enlisted its army to assist farmers in planting rice. However, a decrease in rice output is still expected in the early months of 2024 due to the El Nino weather pattern affecting harvests.
Imported Rice Arrival
The Indonesian national food agency has revealed that the imported rice is expected to arrive before the main harvest, which typically occurs in March and April. However, due to the delayed harvest caused by El Nino, the government estimates that it may take an additional one to two months for the main harvest to begin. To address the current rice shortage, the government has set a 2024 rice import quota of two million tonnes.
Continued Import Efforts
This tender is part of Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to meet the country’s rice demand. In December 2023, Bulog had already purchased over 500,000 tonnes of rice through a previous tender. The rice was sourced from Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Myanmar and had a rapid shipment with an arrival date set for January 30.
