Indonesia Ready to Export Rice Next April

RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman announced that Indonesia will begin exporting rice starting next April.

"We will almost certainly shift our paradigm from being a rice-importing country to a rice-exporting country this year. Hopefully, this will be realized by April," he announced at the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) National Defense Retreat in Bogor, West Java on Friday, January 30, 2026.

If the export target is met, it will mark a new milestone for Indonesian agriculture. In 2024, Indonesia imported 4.52 million tons of rice. However, according to Amran, rice exports can be achieved if the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)'s absorption matches that of 2025.

Throughout 2025, Indonesia produced at least 34 million tons of unhusked rice. Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Area Sample Framework Survey, the rice projection for 2026 has been revised to 34.77 million tons, up from the original projection of 32.07 million tons.

Amran revealed that rice stocks reached 3.32 million tons in January. "This is a record high for rice stocks. We have never had this much rice before," he said proudly to the 160 retreat participants.

February to April is the peak harvest period. If the harvest goes smoothly, there is a good chance that 1 million tons of rice will be exported.

At the event, Amran emphasized the strategic role of journalists in overseeing national development, especially in agriculture. He praised the PWI retreat as an important step in strengthening journalists' capacity and national insight.

He expressed belief that Indonesia's progress is inextricably linked to the media's role in carrying out its social control function. However, he emphasized that media criticism should be constructive, not slanderous or divisive.

"Democracy requires a strong and integrated press. Criticism is important, but it must be constructive."

Amran stated that Indonesia's goal to become a developed nation and global power requires cross-sector collaboration. Journalists play a role in public optimism through balanced and accurate information.

He credited the nation's people, including the press, for today's development. Amran invited journalists to strengthen their relationship with the government through reporting that serves the nation's interests. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)