Decision On Rice Imports End Of May: Chief Economics Minister

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Coordinating Minister for Economy  Sofyan Djalil said the government would decide by the end of May or early June whether or not to import rice .

"Evaluation would be made of rice procurement by the Board of Logistics (Bulog) by the end of May or early June. What is important is rice stock is secured ahead of Idul Fitri," Sofyan said.

Plan to import rice followed an increase in the price of the staple food.

Rice price hike is sensitive to the majority of the people but imports have always triggered controversy it concerns the interest of the most depressed farmers.

Sofyan said evaluation is needed of import plan as currently harvest is still taking place  and Bulog still has stocks enough for the next four months.

"Hopefully Bulog could procure enough rice from farmers. But there is no cause for much concern as stocks are still enough for the next four months," he after a coordinating meeting of economics ministers here on Tuesday.

He said stocks for other food commodities like sugar, beef, eggs and chicken meat are also enough ahead of the fasting months and Idul Fitri.

"We hope inflation could be curbed . Experience shows that inflation is always high ahead of Idul Fitri. This time we hope to keep inflation from going up too high," he said.

Trade Minister  Rahmat Gobel said BuloG holds a stock of 1.2 million tons of rice.

The stocks are relatively adequate, therefore, imports are the last resort to strengthen stocks, he said.

"Stocks are now 1.2 million tons, and are growing.  For the time being the stocks are enough although to be safe the stocks should be at least 2 million tons," he said.

Meanwhile, a deputy at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Sasmito Hadi Wibowo said the prices of essential goods including rice are declining in the past several weeks, but steps continue to increase stocks.

Sasmito said the prices of beef, sugar, chili and gasoline have fluctuated  and could contribute to inflation in May.

However, stocks are enough for cooking oil, milk, red onion  and wheat flour, he added.    

"We hope inflation would not be too high in May . I think with good anticipatory preparation inflation could be controlled.  Stocks of live chicken, beef and eggs should be maintained ahead of fasting  month and Idul Fitri," he said. (WDY)