Bulog Assures Adequate Rice Supply for Year-End Festivities
Published on: December 15, 2023.
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State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Ensures Adequate Rice Supply for Christmas and New Year Holidays
Jakarta (ANTARA) – State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has given assurance that there is a sufficient amount of the Government’s Rice Reserves to meet the people’s needs during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays in 2023 and 2024. Tomi Wijaya, the agency’s public relations and institutional manager, made this statement during a media discussion in Jakarta on Friday.
Bulog currently holds 1.4 million tons of rice stocks in its warehouses. To ensure an adequate supply for the long holidays, this quantity will be combined with additional stocks obtained from imports. Wijaya stated that the 1.4 million tons of rice will also be used for aid distribution until next year, with the aim of maintaining price stability for the public.
In order to secure additional stocks, Bulog has successfully made contracts with several countries. These contracts amount to a total of one million tons of rice, out of the government’s mandate to import 1.5 million tons. Wijaya mentioned that contracts have been made with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Additionally, Bulog will also explore import opportunities with India and other countries.
To anticipate a potential increase in rice prices, Bulog, with the guidance of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), will implement two main instruments. These include the distribution of food aid and the execution of the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) Program through cheap market operations.
Throughout this year, Bulog has already distributed a total of 1.4 million tons of rice assistance. President Joko Widodo, during his visit to Malang, East Java, on Thursday (December 14), announced that the government has decided to continue the assistance distribution program until March 2024.
Ensuring an Adequate Rice Supply
With the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, Bulog, the State Logistics Agency, is assuring the public that there is enough rice supply to meet their needs. The agency’s warehouses currently store 1.4 million tons of rice stocks, which will be combined with additional imports to guarantee sufficiency during the long holidays. This stock will also be used for aid distribution until next year, ensuring price stability for the public.
Securing Additional Rice Stocks
Bulog has successfully made contracts with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Cambodia, amounting to one million tons of rice. These contracts are part of the government’s mandate to import 1.5 million tons of rice. To further ensure supply, Bulog will explore import opportunities with India and other countries.
Anticipating Price Increases
To anticipate potential increases in rice prices, Bulog, guided by the National Food Agency (Bapanas), will implement two main instruments. This includes the distribution of food aid and the execution of the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) Program through cheap market operations. These measures aim to stabilize prices and ensure affordable rice for the public.
Continued Assistance Distribution
Bulog has distributed a total of 1.4 million tons of rice assistance throughout this year. President Joko Widodo has announced that the assistance distribution program will continue until March 2024, providing support to those in need.
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