- Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah collaborates with Bulog and the Agriculture Ministry to export local rice to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims, reducing dependency on imports and promoting food sovereignty.
- With an estimated need of 3,913 tons of rice for the 2026 Hajj season, Indonesia moves to supply pilgrims with domestic rice, strengthening the Hajj economy and supporting farmers.
- Through inter-ministerial cooperation, Indonesia aims to turn its rice self-sufficiency into a platform for international competitiveness and economic empowerment via the Hajj market.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has begun taking concrete steps to achieve food self-sufficiency in organizing Hajj pilgrimages. Director General for the Development of the Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem (PE2HU), Jaenal Effendi, emphasized that prioritizing the use of domestically produced rice is now a key measure to strengthen the national Hajj economy.
During a coordination meeting with state logistics agency Perum Bulog and the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta, Jaenal underscored that Indonesia must stop relying on rice imports from countries such as Vietnam and Thailand for the consumption needs of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
“The food supply for Hajj pilgrims cannot be handled in isolation,” Jaenal said in a press statement in Jakarta on Monday (Jan. 26, 2026). “A strong synergy among all related ministries and institutions is required—such as the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Trade—so that policies are aligned and the Hajj food supply chain can be strengthened.”
According to PE2HU projections, the total rice requirement for 205,420 pilgrims and officials during the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj season is expected to reach 3,913 tons. The estimate is based on a consumption rate of 150 grams per serving for 127 meals throughout the operational period of the pilgrimage.
Kemenhaj’s PE2HU directorate has established a joint commitment with several parties to ensure the use of national rice. Bulog will calculate the total rice demand and supply it according to the required quality standards, including premium-grade rice with a maximum breakage rate of five percent. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture will facilitate the necessary regulatory framework to support the export of the rice.
The meeting also discussed export regulatory frameworks, licensing mechanisms, and the issue of price competitiveness in the Saudi Arabian market. Currently, premium rice from other exporting countries is priced lower than Indonesian rice. The government, therefore, aims to introduce policy support and facilitation to enhance the market potential and competitiveness of national products in Hajj consumption.
Jaenal highlighted that Indonesia’s current state of rice self-sufficiency is a golden opportunity to promote domestic products. “The main challenge in using local rice has always been the price factor,” he said. “However, by strengthening the Hajj economic ecosystem, we are optimistic that Indonesia’s rice products can compete globally.”
Tri Hidayatno, PE2HU’s Director of Partnership Facilitation who was also present at the meeting, affirmed that this initiative represents an important legacy-building step. “Through this synergy, we aim to ensure that the economic turnover of the Hajj—whose value is enormous—can directly benefit local producers and entrepreneurs in Indonesia,” he explained.
With careful early planning and coordinated action, PE2HU is confident that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will soon enjoy rice grown and milled by local farmers, helping to reinforce both national food security and the domestic economy.
Indonesianpost.com | Republika