Food Data Central: Rice Stock is Safe until Eid ul Fitr
Reported by Nurito | Translated by Isa Efriadi
Ahead of Ramadan 1435 Hijri, rice stock in Cipinang Rice Wholesale Market, East Jakarta, is still enough even until Eid ul Fitr day. Thus, citizens do not need to be worried.
Rice stock is still very safe. In the warehouse belongs to traders in this market, there are 20 tons of rice. Rice supply is also still stable between 2,800-3,000 tons per day
“Rice stock is still very safe. In the warehouse belongs to traders in this market, there are 20 tons of rice. Rice supply is also still stable between 2,800-3,000 tons per day,” stated Eri Muhtarsyid, Food Data Central Staff of PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya as Cipinang Rice Wholesale Market management, Friday (6/6).
Ahead of Ramadan, Staple Food Stocks in Jakarta SafeThe biggest rice supply comes from West Java regions, such as Karawang, Cirebon, Bandung, Cianjur, Garut, and Sukabumi. This supply is supported by regions from Central Java, such as Tegal, Purwokerto, Demak, and Kudus, as well as Kediri and Lumajang in East Java.
According to Muhtarsyid, the highest market demand usually happened in the first week of Ramadan, because the citizens piled rice stock to avoid going back and forth to the market. But in Ramadan’s second week and third week, the situation returns to normal, and got quiet in the fourth week because many citizens going back to their hometowns.
Meanwhile, Head of Jakarta Rice Mill Union, Neli Sukidi, reminded that the ones need to be anticipated this year are harvest failure (puso) and flood impacts. The government must at least prepare enough rice stock. Moreover, presidential election is coming soon in July when demand for rice is ensured will be increasing sharply.
“The government should not play around with rice stock, because there were many moments where need for rice will increase. Not to mention, problems about harvest failure, flood, distribution of fertilizer that sometimes troubled and scarce. If going to import rice, just do it. Once again do not play around about rice stocks,” he uttered.
In addition, Sukidi told that the farmers only rely on the second harvest that would start in upcoming July. If the harvest was safe, stock of unhusked rice would also safe. If not, the governments have to prepare rice stock.
Regarding current rice price, it is still fluctuating and stabile. For IR 3 rice is Rp 7,700-7,800 per kilogram, IR 2 rice Rp 8,000-8,100 per kilogram, IR 1 Rp 8,200-8,300 per kilogram, and IR Super Rp 85,000 per kilogram.
