Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s state-run logistics agency Bulog is ready to export rice and corn this year, following the country’s achievement of self-sufficiency in the two staple commodities, its president director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said.Ramdhani said Bulog is operationally prepared to begin exports, starting with identifying potential destination countries through official government-to-government coordination mechanisms.
“We are now waiting to determine which countries have the greatest potential and need for these exports,” he told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday.
His remarks came in response to a call from Siti Hediati Hariyadi, chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, who urged the government to pursue rice and corn exports after declaring self-sufficiency.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has also earlier encouraged Bulog to immediately prepare for rice exports as part of Indonesia’s broader food policy. Ramdhani said Bulog has maintained close coordination on the export plan, including with the Ministry of Trade, to ensure any overseas shipments align with national interests.
He added that Bulog is prioritizing export opportunities to neighboring countries experiencing urgent food shortages, including areas affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.
Despite the export readiness, Bulog will continue to focus primarily on domestic procurement to safeguard national food security, Ramdhani stressed. The agency has set a target to procure four million tonnes of rice for government reserves throughout 2026.
Of that amount, Bulog aims to secure at least three million tonnes in the first half of the year, taking advantage of the peak national harvest season, which typically occurs during this period. Ramdhani expressed optimism that first-half procurement could exceed the three million-tonne target, provided the harvest proceeds smoothly and is not disrupted by extreme weather or other factors.
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The remaining one million tonnes are planned to be procured in the second half of the year.
In line with the agriculture minister’s directive, Bulog has prepared an allocation of around one million tonnes of rice that could be earmarked for export, while ensuring most production remains dedicated to domestic needs.
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As of early January 2026, Bulog was managing 3.25 million tonnes of government rice reserves, consisting largely of stock carried over from 2025, providing a buffer as Indonesia balances food security with its new export ambitions.
