Indonesian Government Launches Single Price Policy for Medium-Quality Rice

Unified Pricing Strategy

The Indonesian government has announced a comprehensive policy to implement a single price for medium-quality rice (SPHP) across the country. The new retail price ceiling will be set at Rp 12,500 per kilogram, with the ex-warehouse price standardized at Rp 11,000 per kilogram across all regions ¹

Key Policy Features

1. Uniform Pricing: The policy aims to equalize rice prices nationwide, particularly benefiting regions outside Java where prices previously reached up to Rp 15,000-16,000 per kilogram ¹
   Source 1

   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8303667/satu-harga-hanya-berlaku-buat-beras-sphp
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2. Margin Adjustment: Perum Bulog will receive a 7% margin fee to support the implementation, up from the previous Rp 50 per kilogram margin that was deemed insufficient ²
   Source 2

   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8303249/pemerintah-setuju-kasih-margin-fee-7-ke-bulog
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3. Policy Scope: The single price policy specifically applies to medium-quality rice (SPHP), while premium rice remains outside this regulation ³
   Source 3

   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8303044/mentan-sebut-kebijakan-serap-gabah-semua-kualitas-bikin-petani-untung
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4. Implementation Rationale: The decision is part of a broader effort to ensure food price stability and equity, drawing parallels with the successful BBM Satu Harga fuel pricing policy ³
   Source 3

   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8303044/mentan-sebut-kebijakan-serap-gabah-semua-kualitas-bikin-petani-untung
   .

Economic Implications

The new policy is expected to have significant implications for both consumers and suppliers. For consumers, particularly in eastern Indonesia, it means more affordable rice prices. For Perum Bulog, the increased margin fee should improve operational sustainability. The policy also reflects the government's commitment to maintaining food security and price stability during the current economic period.

Implementation Challenges

While the policy aims to create a more equitable rice distribution system, its success will depend on effective logistics management and monitoring to prevent market distortions. The government will need to ensure that the increased margin for Bulog translates into stable supplies without creating unintended market consequences.