Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, has said that as national food stocks are safe, the government has decided not to import four commodities—rice, corn, sugar, and salt—next year.
"Therefore, we have decided not to import next year," he announced at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Minister Hasan also assured that food stocks are more than sufficient, including for the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, and food prices are safe and under control.
"Food prices during Christmas and New Year are safe and controlled," he said.
He added that rice stocks, both with Bulog (Indonesian Logistics Agency), retail, and retailers, are secure and sufficient, including for the holiday season.
Hasan also explained the government's decision to not import sugar for consumption next year, saying that the stocks are sufficient at around 1.4 million tons, with production expected to reach 2.6 million tons.
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The government is targeting domestic sugar production of 2.6 million tons. The production of sugar for consumption will also be boosted through the development of new seeds, plantation management, and collaboration with small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In addition, according to the minister, Indonesia will no longer import consumption salt, sugar, rice, or corn for animal feed in 2025.
For consumption salt, the government is targeting production of 2.25 million tons to meet domestic needs of 1.76 million tons next year.
As for the production of corn for animal feed, the target is 16.68 million tons against the domestic need of around 13 million tons.
Meanwhile, rice production in 2025 is expected to reach 32 million tons, while the domestic need is pegged at 31 million tons.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
