Indonesia plans to import 1 million tons of Indian rice to address potential supply shortage

The announcement came following a meeting of food and agricultural officials on Tuesday, October 29, as concerns mount over domestic production affected by prolonged dry weather.

Indonesia's rice output is projected to decline by 2.43% this year, falling to 30.34 million metric tons, a result of delays in both planting and harvest seasons amid unusually extended dry spells in 2023, the country’s statistics bureau reported earlier this month.

"We need an additional 1 million tons…so that we can go through February. Output in the December-February period is usually lower," explained Head of the National Food Agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, addressing reporters after discussions with Minister Hasan.

For Indonesia’s population of 280 million, rice is a staple, and the main rice harvest season typically starts in March. In recent years, the Southeast Asian nation has ramped up rice imports, with volumes exceeding 3 million metric tons annually over the past two years.

This year, Indonesia aims to import as much as 3.6 million tons of rice, while also planning to open between 750,000 and 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) of new rice fields by 2025. This initiative supports President Prabowo Subianto’s target to achieve food self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, India—the world’s largest rice exporter—recently removed the floor price for non-basmati white rice exports, a move expected to increase shipments amid higher domestic output and significant stockpiles following 2023 export restrictions.