Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi (right) checking rice stocks. ANTARA/HO-Humas Bapanas

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Food Agency (Bapanas) stated that the temporary relaxation of the retail price ceiling (HET) for premium-quality rice is implemented to maintain supply and price stability at the consumer level during Ramadan.

The agency head Arief Prasetyo Adi noted in a Bapanas statement here on Tuesday that the step was taken after monitoring the conditions of premium-quality rice availability, supply, and price in traditional markets and modern retail stores.

“The HET relaxation for premium-quality rice applies for two weeks from March 10 to 23. After that, premium-quality rice prices will return to following the HET in accordance with National Food Agency Regulation Number 7 of 2023,” he remarked.

He explained that the temporary relaxation is implemented to enable the community to conduct worship activities more comfortably during Ramadan and not face hardships in getting rice.

“Later, in the fourth week (of March), we believe that rice supply and availability will increase with rice harvests,” he noted.

With the relaxation, the HET of premium-quality rice in Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, and Sulawesi has been relaxed, from Rp13,900 (around US$0.90) per kilogram to Rp14,900 (around US$0.96) per kilogram.

In Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, Bangka Belitung Islands, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and Kalimantan, it was relaxed, from Rp14,400 (around US$0.93) per kilogram to Rp15,400 (around US$0.99) per kilogram.

Thereafter, in Maluku and Papua, the HET was relaxed, from Rp14,800 (around US$0.96) per kilogram to Rp15,800 (around US$1.02) per kilogram.

The Bapanas head stated that in terms of supervising the implementation of HET relaxation, his agency is working with the National Police’s Food Task Force. Supervision will be conducted periodically in both traditional markets and modern retail stores.

The implementation of the HET relaxation has been conveyed to business associations on March 8, 2024, through the National Food Agency Head’s Letter Number 102/TS.02.02/K/3/2024.

Published Date: March 12, 2024