Amy Heppy, Jakarta – Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi said the government adjusted the price of rice during the market operation or Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices (SPHP).

As of September 1, the price of rice was raised to Rp 10,900 per kilogram from the previous Rp 9,450 per kilogram.

"The price has indeed been adjusted, the maximum price is Rp10,900 per kilogram," Arief said during an inspection of the availability of SPHP rice at Lottemart Wholesale Pasar Rebo, Jakarta on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Arief also explained the government's reasons for the price hike. "Since the end of last year, we have calculated the production costs starting from land rent, seeds, fertilizer prices, and the increase in fuel prices in September-October last year, so the government raised the price of rice by approximately 20 percent as directed by the President," he said, adding that the decision would help farmers.

Arief also said that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi had ordered massive distribution of rice in order to maintain the stability of supply and prices in the market. "That means it will be done through food bazaars all over Indonesia," he added.

However, Arief stressed that the purchase is limited to a maximum of three packets per transaction.

Budi Waseso, the head of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), said the rice had been distributed to 1,853 retailers across the archipelago. Additionally, the government would begin rolling out food assistance to 21.3 million families on September 11, 2023. Each family would receive ten kilograms of rice. "We will distribute 640,000 tons of rice."

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1769816/food-agency-adjusts-rice-price-to-rp10-900-per-k