As of the end of July 2024, Indonesia has imported 2.2 million tons of rice, according to Perum Bulog President Director Bayu Krisnamurthi. He stated that the primary sources of this rice are Thailand and Vietnam, though he did not specify the exact percentages from each country. Bulog has been assigned an import quota of 3.6 million tons for this year. Despite the upcoming simultaneous regional elections (Pilkada) at the end of the year, Bayu emphasized that there will be no increase in rice imports. He assured that Bulog is committed to maintaining market stability and preventing price fluctuations during the elections by ensuring adequate supply.

Previously, agricultural analyst Khudori from the Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI) had called on Bulog to reassess its rice import needs in light of the Pilkada. With Bulog already having imported 2.2 million tons, AEPI estimates that an additional 1.3 million tons might be necessary to meet demand through the end of the year. Khudori noted that current calculations do not account for logistics and social assistance related to the elections, suggesting that Bulog should factor in these needs along with projected production for October to December. This reassessment should be completed by the end of September, when more accurate production estimates for the final quarter of the year, plus actual production data from January to September, will be available to determine if additional imports are required.

Source: https://amp.kontan.co.id/news/bulog-sebut-realisasi-beras-impor-capai-22-juta-ton-per-juni-2024