KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. The government is preparing to import rice again. The rice import is carried out to meet the basic needs ahead of Ramadan and Eid this year.

Trade Minister (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan said the government in a meeting decided to accelerate the carryover of rice imports from 2023 to this year.  

"It was decided to accelerate the (import) of rice that was decided last year but delayed its implementation in 2024, which is 600,000 tons of rice," said Zulkifli at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Thursday (18/1).

He explained the delay in rice imports was due to the loading and unloading process at the port. 

The acceleration of import entry is related to the preparation for the supply and food price stabilization program (SPHP) ahead of Ramadan and Eid 2024. 

This is because rice is one of the commodities of government concern both in terms of price and availability ahead of religious holidays. 

In addition to the 600,000 tons of continued rice imports from last year, there will also be an additional import of 2 million tons this year.

"In addition to the 600,000, there are 2 million tons," he added. 

In addition to rice, Zulkifli mentioned that corn feedstocks are also prepared to face the momentum of Ramadan and Eid this year. Corn feed is related to the fluctuation of egg and chicken meat prices.

According to him, due to El Nino, rice and corn are vulnerable commodities that need to be prepared for stock ahead of Ramadan and Eid. 

"Even though Eid is still a long way off, today's supplies have started to be discussed. Therefore, yesterday (2023) Eid was controlled, and New Year was controlled, because indeed preparations were made long ago. So rice, all basic ingredients are prepared from now even though Eid is still a long way off," said Zulkifli. 

Editor: Syamsul Azhar