Perum Bulog has been assigned to import 3.6 million tons of rice throughout 2024. Bayu Krisnamurthi, the CEO of Perum Bulog, anticipates that this quota will suffice to maintain domestic rice availability. "God willing, it will be sufficient," Bayu stated during a media briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Bayu emphasized that Perum Bulog does not intend to increase rice imports in 2024. Furthermore, Perum Bulog still has a remaining import quota of 1 million tons from 2023, referred to as carry-over. "Hopefully not, the 3.6 million tons are separate from the 1 million tons. At this moment, I do not intend to request additional imports," Bayu asserted.
Of the 3.6 million ton quota for this year, Perum Bulog has already actualized the import of 650 thousand tons of rice from Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Cambodia. "650 thousand tons have arrived or are still at the ports, and 350 thousand tons are under contract," Bayu explained. Regarding domestic procurement, Bayu mentioned that approximately 74,700 tons of paddy have been acquired from farmers as rice harvesting has commenced in several regions. "During the first month of harvesting, Bulog usually procures domestically around 80,000 to 90,000 tons. This month, we've managed to obtain 75,000 tons, slightly below the average," Bayu stated.
