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View all search resultsGovt pledges subsidies to curb imported food inflation
The statement came as the rupiah continued to face pressure, exceeding Rp 17,500 per US dollar and raising concerns over higher prices for imported food commodities, including soybeans, wheat, raw sugar and garlic.
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A worker rinses soybeans on Feb. 5, 2026, at a tofu factory in Surabaya, East Java. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
T
he government is prepared to provide subsidies if the prices of imported food commodities such as soybeans exceed the government’s highest retail price (HET) amid the rupiah’s continued weakening against the United States dollar, Coordinating Food Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated.
“We will safeguard prices. If they exceed the HET, of course, the government will step in and provide subsidies,” Zulkifli said on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.
His remarks came as the rupiah continued to face pressure, exceeding Rp 17,500 per US dollar and raising concerns over higher prices for imported food commodities, including soybeans, wheat, raw sugar and garlic.
According to Zulkifli, the government could intervene through transportation subsidies for logistic services or price stabilization assistance to prevent rising food prices from burdening consumers.
“Both the central government and regional administrations have contingency spending budgets for this,” he said.
He also called on regional administrations to move quickly in responding to food price increases in their respective areas, saying delays could worsen the burden on households.
“If we respond too slowly and mothers start protesting, then we’ll have a bigger problem. Governors and regents must act quickly if there are issues in their regions. We need to respond together,” he said.
