Indonesia to stop rice imports next year

Indonesia will not import rice for either consumption or industrial use next year, citing sufficient domestic production, according to a government official.

The decision was announced after a recent ministerial coordination meeting in Jakarta attended by senior leaders from the Coordinating Ministry for Food Security, the Ministry of Trade, and the Central Statistics Agency.

Tatang Yuliono, deputy for Trade and Distribution Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Security, said all domestic demand, including rice for household consumption and industrial processing, will be fully met by local production.

The government has also rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Industry to import nearly 381,000 tons of rice for industrial use in 2026, believing domestic supply will be adequate. The no-import policy will apply nationwide, including free trade zones such as Sabang in Aceh.

Tatang added that relevant ministries will continue reviewing food import policies through upcoming commodity balance meetings.

Indonesia’s confidence stems from strong agricultural performance in 2025, when the country halted imports of both rice and corn, marking a key achievement in national food security.

By mid-2025, state rice reserves had reached a record high of about 4 million tons, helping stabilise the market and support disaster-hit localities.

According to official data, rice production in 2025 is projected to reach 34.77 million tons, up 13.54% year on year, driven by favourable weather and farmer support policies under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Corn output is also expected to reach around 4 million tonnes by the end of the year, ensuring sufficient supply for domestic consumption and the poultry sector.