- 33.2 million households to receive 30 kg of rice each for Oct-Dec quarter
- Nearly 1 million tonnes of rice allocated under the extended programme
Indonesia will extend its rice assistance programme for 33.2 million for low-income and vulnerable households through December 2026, with nearly 1 million tonnes of rice to be distributed during the three-month extension. The programme will cover October, November and December, with each eligible household receiving 10 kg of rice per month, or 30 kg for the quarter, as the government seeks to strengthen domestic availability and mitigate potential El Niño-related supply risks.
Nearly 1 mnt to be distributed through December
With around 33.2 million households covered under the programme, the three-month extension will require approximately 997,000 tonnes of rice. The additional government distribution is expected to support domestic rice availability and provide a supply buffer for vulnerable consumers amid concerns over potential weather-related disruptions.
Bulog’s stocks provide supply buffer
State food procurement and logistics agency Bulog will handle the distribution of the rice. The agency currently holds around 5.25 million tonnes of rice stocks, giving it a substantial inventory base to support the expanded assistance programme. The government is also considering changing the distribution mechanism by combining the monthly 10-kg allocations into a single 30-kg package for each household for the quarter. The proposed change would streamline logistics without altering the total quantity of rice supplied.
El Niño risks keep rice market under watch
The extension of the programme comes as the Indonesian government seeks to strengthen food security and mitigate the potential impact of El Niño weather conditions on domestic rice supply. Rice prices in Indonesia have already risen steadily during the first half of 2026, partly due to higher production costs. Any weather-related impact on output could add further pressure to domestic availability and prices.
Outlook
Indonesia’s decision to extend its rice assistance programme through December is likely to support domestic rice availability and limit upside pressure on prices in the near term. The distribution of nearly 1 million tonnes will provide additional supplies to vulnerable households, while Bulog’s substantial stock position offers a buffer against potential supply disruptions. However, El Niño-related production risks and elevated input costs could continue to influence the market. Rice prices are therefore expected to remain sensitive to domestic production.
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