Indonesia Achieves Food Self-Sufficiency for Key Commodities

Government Announces No Imports for Strategic Food Items in 2026

The Indonesian government has made a significant announcement regarding its food security status, declaring that the country will not import strategic food commodities such as rice, consumption sugar, and feed corn in 2026 ¹

. This decision is based on the strong carry-over stock from 2025, indicating that national production has been sufficient to meet domestic consumption needs.

Production Capacity and Stock Availability

According to I Gusti Ketut Astawa, Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization at the National Food Agency (Bapanas), the government has collectively decided against importing these commodities due to sufficient national stock and production capacity ¹

. The Projections of National Food Balance 2026, prepared by Bapanas in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions, showed positive results for these strategic commodities.

Economic Implications and Expert Views

While the government's decision is seen as a positive achievement in food security, some economists have raised concerns about the long-term implications. Wijayanto Samirin from Paramadina University noted that while short-term supply certainty is crucial, the government needs to focus on enhancing national production capacity ²

. The current import policy for industrial needs, including commodities like sugar and salt, has sparked debate about balancing food sovereignty with short-term supply stability.

Path Forward for Food Self-Sufficiency

The government's announcement of achieving self-sufficiency in rice and corn production marks a significant milestone in the country's food security journey ³

. While the immediate focus is on maintaining current stock levels, the long-term challenge lies in sustaining production capacity. The government is expected to continue monitoring production levels and adjusting policies as necessary to maintain this delicate balance.