Jakarta. In anticipation of the approaching fasting month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr festivities, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has taken proactive measures by importing rice from Thailand and Pakistan to reinforce the nation's food reserves.

"We have secured an additional 300,000 tons of rice from Thailand and Pakistan to strengthen Bulog's stock," Bayu Krishnamurti, the Chief Executive of Bulog, said on Sunday.

He elaborated that the rice is currently in transit to Indonesia and will supplement the existing warehouse stockpile, currently standing at 1.3 million tons. "Bulog presently oversees 1.3 million tons of stock, and with the additional 300,000-ton contract, Bulog's reserves will be further fortified," he emphasized.

Bayu clarified that the decision to import rice was made in response to domestic demands, emphasizing that Bulog's rice import strategy aims to consistently meet the government's food reserve requirements.

This initiative by Perum Bulog is a proactive step to ensure an ample supply of rice during the festive season and maintain food security amidst potential increased demand.

Earlier, a shipment of 66,000 tons of imported rice from Vietnam arrived at Patimban Port, Subang, West Java, on Friday. 

In February 2024, rice prices reportedly reached a historic peak, as stated by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), occurring just a month before the onset of Ramadan.

Comparing February 2024 to the same month in 2023, average rice prices in mills for premium, medium, and lower-quality rice each rose by 22.91 percent, 25.32 percent, and 30.53 percent.

During a cabinet meeting last week, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged his ministers to address the rising food prices ahead of the March Ramadan. Jokowi has authorized Bulog to import 2 million tons of rice from Thailand to meet domestic demands. In January and February, domestic rice output was 2.8 million tons less than the national demand.