Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, October 19, 2026 at 06:45 AM UTC

Indonesia holds 4.5 mln tons of rice reserves for El Nio: Official

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Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari

National Food Agency (Bapanas) Head Andi Amran Sulaiman said government rice reserves have reached 4.5 million tons after two years of preparation to mitigate potential extreme El Niño conditions and drought.

He noted that the government had prepared for a strong El Niño in advance, leaving rice reserves at a secure level to maintain national food security.

"We have prepared for two years in advance to anticipate El Niño. We have ample stocks, still abundant. Our rice reserves are at 4.5 million tons," Sulaiman ensured on Monday.

He said Indonesia is ready to face potential rainfall declines caused by El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), with the government having strengthened food reserves over the past two years as a precaution.

Bapanas data showed that government rice reserves (CBP) have reached 4.5 million tons, up nearly 200 percent from 1.51 million tons in October 2023.

The increase over the past two years was driven entirely by domestic rice production. However, the government is ensuring that its procurement of unhusked rice and milled rice does not disadvantage private rice producers and millers.

Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed the total projected national rice production from January to September 2026 could reach 28.39 million tons.

Meanwhile, the government's total absorption of rice equivalents is around 4.1 million tons, or only 14.4 percent of national rice production.

This way, Sulaiman said the private sector can still absorb the remaining unhusked rice harvest from farmers.

He then expressed optimism for Indonesia to achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency in 2026, especially with the rainy season expected to return soon.

"Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, we can achieve sustainable self-sufficiency," he remarked.

Furthermore, the agency confirmed that the government's strengthened food reserve stocks extend beyond rice, including 84,000 tons of food stock in the form of feed corn.

Followed by 26,000 kiloliters of cooking oil managed by Perum Bulog and ID Food, along with 39 tons of chicken meat at ID Food.

For perishable goods, including chilies, shallots, and chicken eggs, the government expects regular domestic production to ensure adequate supplies, due to the significant production surplus over consumption needs this year.

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