Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman affirmed that Indonesian farmers have played a pivotal role in reducing global rice prices by increasing domestic production and minimizing reliance on imports. This has helped stabilize supply and maintain affordability in the international market.
Recent data shows that global rice prices have fallen to approximately US$390 per ton, down from US$460 per ton during Indonesia’s peak import period.
“This demonstrates Indonesia’s influence on global rice pricing,” Sulaiman stated on Wednesday (May 14). He attributed the price drop to the success of local farmers in balancing supply and demand, easing pressure on rice-importing nations.
ASEAN Production Declines, Indonesia’s Stocks Rise
While rice output in neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia has dipped, Indonesia has seen a significant surge in reserves. Current national rice stocks stand at 3.7 million tons, with expectations to reach 4 million tons in the coming weeks as harvests progress smoothly.
Sulaiman hailed this achievement as a historic milestone in food security, praising farmers as the “true heroes” behind Indonesia’s self-sufficiency.
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Halting Imports, Boosting Domestic Output
In early 2025, Indonesia announced plans to stop rice imports entirely, shifting focus to domestic production. The Agriculture Ministry aims to produce 32 million tons of rice this year, a 2-million-ton increase from 2024’s output of 30 million tons.
This move comes after Indonesia imported 3.85 million tons of rice in 2024, sourced mainly from Thailand (1.19M tons), Vietnam (1.12M tons), and Myanmar (642K tons).
Strengthening Food Security & Regional Stability
With ample reserves and falling global prices, Indonesia is now recognized as a key stabilizer of rice markets in Southeast Asia. Sulaiman urged stakeholders to continue supporting farmers to ensure long-term food security and economic stability.
“Our farmers are helping make rice more affordable—not just for Indonesia, but for the world,” he emphasized.
As Indonesia moves toward full self-sufficiency, its agricultural success serves as a model for sustainable food management in the region. (BL/Antara)