Conflicting reports are emerging regarding rice prices in Indonesia as the new year begins. While the national statistics agency (BPS) reported increases at all levels of the supply chain in December, the state-owned logistics agency, Bulog, asserts prices remain stable and within government-mandated retail price ceilings. The discrepancy raises questions about price monitoring and potential impacts on consumers across the archipelago,where rice is a key component of daily diets and economic stability. This report details the diverging assessments and the government’s response to recent market fluctuations.
Jakarta –
Indonesia’s national statistics agency has reported increases in rice prices at the milling, wholesale, and retail levels. However, the head of the state-owned logistics agency, Bulog, maintains that rice prices remain stable and within government-set retail price ceilings.
Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, Director General of Perum Bulog, stated that the agency did not receive any complaints regarding surging rice or essential goods prices during the Christmas and New Year period.
“Rice prices are in accordance with the Highest Retail Price (HET) determined by the government. We haven’t received any complaints regarding price increases, for rice or other essential goods, in the days leading up to Christmas and New Year,” Ramdhani told reporters in South Jakarta on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
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Ramdhani explained that the government has been actively monitoring prices and conducting market inspections across various regions. “As a result of these efforts, including the direct involvement of the Food Task Force, we haven’t seen any significant price increases. Thankfully, as far as we know,” he added.
Addressing the price increases reported by the BPS for December, Ramdhani clarified that Bulog’s monitoring indicates rice prices remain controlled and below the government’s established limits.
“That’s unlikely, because the evidence on the ground doesn’t show any increases. Perhaps a re-check is needed to confirm. The maximum price for medium-grade rice is IDR 12,500, and premium rice is IDR 14,900,” Ramdhani stated.
Previously, Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Statistics on Distribution and Services at BPS, reported that the price of rice at the milling level was IDR 13,488 per kilogram (kg). This represents a 6.38% increase year-over-year (yoy) and a 1.26% increase month-over-month (mtm), according to a report from CNN Indonesia.
“Breaking down the rice quality at the milling level, premium rice increased 2.62% (mtm) and 6.92% (yoy). Medium-grade rice rose 0.67% (mtm), but increased 6.72% (yoy),” Ismartini said during a press conference.
Meanwhile, the price of rice at the wholesale level was IDR 14,162 per kg, up 5% year-over-year and 0.22% month-over-month. Retail prices increased 0.18% (yoy) and 3.64% (mtm) to reach IDR 15,081 per kg. These price fluctuations are being closely watched as rice is a staple food in Indonesia and impacts household budgets across the country.
(kil/kil)
