Indonesia Defies Global Rice Shortfall with Record Harvests

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Rice production in Indonesia has increased even as output declines in many other countries, positioning Indonesia as a bright spot in the global food sector.

“While other countries are harvesting less, Indonesia is actually getting a larger harvest,” Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said in a statement from the Government Communications Agency (BAKOM RI) on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The FAO projects global rice production will fall by 1.6 percent to 552.4 million tons in the 2026/2027 period, marking the first decline after two record harvests.

In contrast, Indonesia’s rice production is estimated to reach 38.6 million tons in milled form for 2026/2027, up from 34 million tons in 2024/2025. This makes Indonesia the world’s fourth‑largest rice producer, behind India, China, and Bangladesh.

Several major producers recorded declines: Thailand’s output fell 6.1 percent, the United States’ 15.2 percent, and Brazil’s 12.9 percent. FAO cited climate uncertainty and rising production costs as the main drivers of the global downturn, with world rice reserves expected to shrink by 2.7 percent by the end of the 2026/2027 season.

The Ministry of Agriculture views Indonesia’s rising production as a key asset for strengthening food security and expanding market opportunities. Import‑dependent countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia are expected to increase purchases amid domestic challenges.

The government is also working to boost productivity through programs aimed at reinforcing the agricultural sector. (Misni Parjiati)