Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Indonesia to Export Rice in 2010
Source: TEMPO Interactive
PINGIT ARIA | NALIA RIFIKA

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Minister of Agriculture Suswono said that this year Indonesia have the opportunity to export rice because, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), harvest production this year is increasing.

"We will prioritize the export of premium quality (rice)," said Suswono yesterday.

He will forbid the export of medium quality rice because it is widely consumed in the country.

Medium quality rice will be prioritized for national rice reserves.

But, according to him, the government could open export of medium quality rice.

"If rice reserves reach 1 million tons, we might export medium quality rice too," he said.

Right now, according to Suswono, national rice reserves are 400,000 tons.

Head of the Central Statistic Bureau (BPS) Rusman Heriawan said he was optimistic that Indonesia could still maintain rice self-sufficiency and fulfill domestic rice needs.

"Rice self-sufficiency can still be maintained until this year," said Rusman on a separate occasion.