Indonesia Allows Bulog to Use Old Rice Packaging Amidst Plastic Supply Issues

In a move to ensure the smooth distribution of essential food supplies, Indonesia's National Food Agency (Bapanas) has granted Perum Bulog permission to utilize existing packaging stocks for its Stabilized Supply and Price of Food (SPHP) rice program. This decision comes as a response to the fluctuating prices and availability of plastic raw materials, which have impacted the procurement of new packaging.

Bapanas Deputy for Availability and Stabilization of Food, I Gusti Ketut Astawa, stated that this step is crucial for accelerating distribution. Bulog will be able to deploy 12.3 million packaging units that were stocked between 2023 and 2025. To maintain accuracy and transparency, Bulog is instructed to update the information on these older packages, including rice quality, maximum retail price, brand name, and expiration date, by affixing stickers.

This initiative is expected to prevent potential price increases of around Rp 300 per kilogram for rice, should plastic prices continue to surge. Bapanas is coordinating with regional governments and the National Police's Food Task Force to ensure widespread awareness of this packaging adjustment. As of March, SPHP rice distribution had reached 70,010 tons, with a further 78,780 tons distributed in early April, demonstrating the program's ongoing importance in controlling rice inflation and ensuring food security for the Indonesian populace.

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This step is important to accelerate distribution.