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IMPORT - JAKARTA. The government is preparing to import rice again. The rice import is carried out to meet the basic needs ahead of Ramadan and Eid this year.
Trade Minister (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan said the government in a meeting decided to accelerate the carryover of rice imports from 2023 to this year.
"It was decided to accelerate the (import) of rice that was decided last year but delayed its implementation in 2024, which is 600,000 tons of rice," said Zulkifli at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Thursday (18/1).
He explained the delay in rice imports was due to the loading and unloading process at the port.
The acceleration of import entry is related to the preparation for the supply and food price stabilization program (SPHP) ahead of Ramadan and Eid 2024.
This is because rice is one of the commodities of government concern both in terms of price and availability ahead of religious holidays.
In addition to the 600,000 tons of continued rice imports from last year, there will also be an additional import of 2 million tons this year.
"In addition to the 600,000, there are 2 million tons," he added.
In addition to rice, Zulkifli mentioned that corn feedstocks are also prepared to face the momentum of Ramadan and Eid this year. Corn feed is related to the fluctuation of egg and chicken meat prices.
According to him, due to El Nino, rice and corn are vulnerable commodities that need to be prepared for stock ahead of Ramadan and Eid.
"Even though Eid is still a long way off, today's supplies have started to be discussed. Therefore, yesterday (2023) Eid was controlled, and New Year was controlled, because indeed preparations were made long ago. So rice, all basic ingredients are prepared from now even though Eid is still a long way off," said Zulkifli.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Food Agency or National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi said, based on the sample area framework issued by BPS in January and February, if totaled from the needs compared to production there is a gap of about 2.8 million tons.
He explained the deficit of national rice supplies of about 2.8 million tons was due to the impact of El Nino. So in January to February 2024 will be fulfilled with the rice import program. However, the implementation of the import will be carried out before the harvest season.
"Last year, the President approved in an internal meeting to import two million tons. The condition is that the price at the farmer level is maintained as it is today. So the balance, hopefully, can be covered. Then there is a note, before the harvest season it must have entered," said Arief.
Arief emphasized, that his party continues to strive to maintain prices at the farmer level. The rice importation carried out to ensure a strong CBP stock, he added, will go hand in hand with maintaining prices at the farmer level.
"Our needs for one month are about 2.5 to 2.6 million tons. Two months, due to this El Nino, in January-February we lack about 2.8 (million tons), but we will cover with the 2023 carryover and imports that enter in 2024," explained Arief.
The plan is to import from Vietnam and Thailand. In addition, his party will also follow up on the import plan from China.
"We report that we will follow up on some that have already been with the president from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. But there is a note that if possible before the harvest season it must have entered," revealed Arief.
