Jakarta. Indonesia will not import strategic staple foods in 2026 as carryover stocks from this year remain strong enough to meet national demand, the National Food Agency (Bapanas) said on Thursday.

Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization I Gusti Ketut Astawa said the country’s food security outlook for 2026 is safe and self-reliant, allowing the government to maintain a zero-import policy for key commodities.

“Collectively and by consensus, the government has decided that there is no need for imports of rice, consumption sugar, and feed corn in 2026. National stock availability and production are already strong and sufficient to meet public consumption,” Ketut said.

Bapanas data show that rice carryover stocks entering 2026 stand at 12.529 million tons, including 3.248 million tons of government rice reserves held by state logistics agency Bulog. With average monthly consumption estimated at 2.591 million tons, existing stocks alone could cover nearly five months of demand. Combined with the projected 2026 rice output of 34.7 million tons, end-2026 stocks are forecast to strengthen further to 16.194 million tons.

Corn stocks are also deemed ample. Opening stocks of 4.521 million tons are expected to meet around three months of demand, based on monthly consumption of 1.421 million tons. With full-year production estimated at 18 million tons, end-2026 corn stocks are projected at 4.581 million tons. Indonesia is even expected to resume corn exports next year, with shipments projected at 52,900 tons, while imports of feed, seed, and household corn are ruled out.

A similar picture applies to sugar. Initial consumption sugar stocks of 1.437 million tons are sufficient to cover up to six months of demand without imports. Domestic sugar production in 2026 is estimated at 2.72 million tons, leaving end-year stocks at around 1.32 million tons. Sugar imports have also been ruled out for next year.

“Indonesia no longer needs imports for the consumption of shallots, chili, chicken eggs, and broiler meat. We are already sufficient. Our farmers’ and breeders’ production capacity is strong,” Ketut added.

Earlier, Bapanas head and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said the zero-import policy reflects firm support for domestic producers.

“Our farmers and breeders must not suffer losses. They have to prosper. The fruits of their hard work must be widely distributed to meet the needs of the Indonesian people,” Amran said.

The government is optimistic that food self-sufficiency in 2026 will not only secure national stocks but also open export opportunities for commodities such as rice and corn.

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