Indonesia seeks to end rice imports this year as output jumps

JAKARTA] Indonesia is set to stop importing rice this year for the first time in decades, thanks to surging production and stockpiles in one of the world’s top growers of the staple food.

Domestic output is expected to increase to at least 33.8 million tonnes in 2026, up from a target of 32.8 million tonnes this year, said Vice-Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono. National rice reserves more than doubled to four million tonnes in May from 1.7 million tonnes in January, as production improved following a drought-induced slump last year, according to ministry data. 

The plan supports President Prabowo Subianto’s ambition to reduce reliance on other countries. Since taking office in October, he has been championing food self-sufficiency in the world’s fourth-most populous nation, where 280 million people consume around 30 million tonnes of rice annually. 

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