Perum Bulog is expanding the distribution of premium rice to various modern retailers. Alongside this, the National Food Agency (Bapanas) is investigating allegations of price manipulation and violations of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for fortified rice.
Both efforts are closely related to the proliferation of fortified rice in modern retail networks over the past four months. Vitamin or nutrient-enriched rice, which is not subject to the highest retail price (HET), often replaces the absence of premium rice in minimarkets, supermarkets, and hypermarkets.
The President Director of Perum Bulog, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, stated that the public need not worry about the availability of rice. Currently, Bulog's rice stock reaches 5.3 million tons and is distributed throughout Indonesia. This amount will continue to increase as the harvest is still ongoing in several production center areas.
"In addition to distributing SPHP rice (Stabilization of Supply and Food Prices), we are also expanding the distribution of premium rice to modern retailers to make it more accessible to the public," he stated in a press release in Jakarta, Thursday (6/8/2026).
The premium rice that will be distributed is produced by Bulog under the Punokawan and Befood Sentra Ramos brands.
Rizal explained that the premium rice to be distributed is produced by Bulog under the brands Punokawan and Befood Sentra Ramos. These two rice brands have previously been marketed extensively through traditional markets, food stores, the Rumah Pangan Kita network, and various activities of the Affordable Food Movement program.
The expansion of premium rice distribution to modern retail is part of Bulog's strategy to provide quality food products that are easily accessible to the public. With the widening marketing network, the community has more options for premium rice with guaranteed quality and competitive prices.
"We continue to strengthen coordination with the government, modern retail managers, distributors, and food business actors to ensure the smooth distribution of premium and medium rice, reaching a wider community, and maintaining price stability," said Rizal.
Based on data from the Market Monitoring and Basic Needs System of the Ministry of Trade, as of August 5, 2026, the national average price of premium rice at the consumer level is Rp 15,546 per kilogram (kg). The price of rice has increased by 1.6 percent since the beginning of January 2026 and is significantly above the national average HET for premium rice, which is set at Rp 14,900 per kg.
The increase in the price of premium rice has also triggered rice inflation that has been ongoing for seven consecutive months. The Central Statistics Agency recorded the annual rice inflation rates in January, February, March, April, May, June, and July 2026 at 3.44 percent, 3.61 percent, 3.71 percent, 4.36 percent, 4.55 percent, 3.98 percent, and 3.1 percent, respectively.
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