Minister of Agriculture: There is an Anomaly in Rice Prices and Rice Distribution Does Not Match Quality

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the current rise in rice prices is an anomaly. This situation is exacerbated by the circulation of rice that does not meet quality standards.

This is based on the results of the quality and price investigation of rice conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Food Agency, the Ministry of Trade, the Food Task Force of the National Police, and the Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Indonesia. The investigation, which targeted medium and premium rice, was held from June 6 to June 23, 2025.

An investigation was conducted on 268 samples of premium and medium rice from 212 brands spread across 10 provinces. The quality parameters used were moisture content, percentage of whole grains, broken grains, and degree of milling.

Typically, rice prices increase when rice production declines. However, what is currently happening is that rice prices are actually rising. Meanwhile, national rice production is abundant. This is an anomaly.

Amran, on Thursday (26/6/2025), stated that based on the investigation results, 85.56 percent of the premium rice tested did not meet the established quality standards. Meanwhile, 21.66 percent of that rice had a real weight lower than the weight indicated on the packaging.

"Even worse, 59.78 percent of that premium rice is priced above the highest retail price (HET)," he stated during a hybrid press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, for medium rice, Amran continued, 88.24 percent of the total samples tested did not meet the applicable quality standards. In addition, 95.12 percent of medium rice was found to be sold at prices exceeding the Highest Retail Price (HET), and 9.38 percent had a weight lower than the information stated on the packaging.

From the price perspective, the Ministry of Agriculture concluded that there is an anomaly in rice prices. Typically, rice prices increase when rice production decreases. "However, what is currently happening is that rice prices are actually rising. Meanwhile, national rice production is abundant. This is an anomaly," he said.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the potential national rice production for the period of January-July 2025 is projected to reach 21.76 million tons. This figure represents an increase of 2.83 million tons or 14.92 percent compared to the January-July 2024 period, which was 18.93 million tons.

Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predict that Indonesia's rice production in 2025 will increase to 35.6 million tons and 34 million tons, respectively. These figures exceed the rice production target set by the Ministry of Agriculture for 2025, which is 32 million tons.

From the quality perspective, according to Amran, the investigation team tested it in 13 laboratories in Indonesia. The results showed that the quality of most of the rice samples did not meet the standards. In fact, the weight of some of the rice did not correspond to the weight indicated on the packaging.

This finding has a significant impact on consumers, particularly concerning potential financial losses. According to calculations from the Ministry of Agriculture, the potential loss for premium rice consumers amounts to IDR 34.21 trillion, while for medium rice consumers, it reaches IDR 65.14 trillion. Thus, the total potential loss for consumers amounts to IDR 99.55 trillion.

Therefore, Amran requested that the supervision of rice distribution be tightened to prevent consumers from being continuously harmed. He also urged producers and distributors of rice to ensure that the products sold comply with the Highest Retail Price (HET) and applicable quality standards.

"We request that within the next two weeks, rice producers adjust the quality and price of rice in accordance with the applicable regulations. Meanwhile, the Food Task Force and the Attorney General's Office will further investigate the results of the investment. They will also take action against errant producers and traders," said Amran.

We ask that in the next two weeks, rice producers adjust the quality and price of rice according to applicable regulations.

The Head of Bapanas, Arief Prasetyo, stated that producers and traders are required to comply with the quality or standard specifications and weight of the products indicated on the packaging. If these provisions are violated, the government will not tolerate violations that harm consumers.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Food Task Force of the National Police, Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, emphasized that producers and traders have been given a two-week period to clarify and adjust the quality and price of rice in accordance with the information on the packaging. If this is not done, the Food Task Force will take firm action in accordance with applicable laws.