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Indonesia's holiday food stock enough for 4 months: Ministry
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Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita answers questions at a year-end press briefing at the Trade Ministry office in Jakarta on Friday. (JP/Anton Hermansyah)
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rade Ministry stated Friday the food stock for the holiday season, including rice, sugar and beef, was enough to handle four months of demand.
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that the government already had an agreement with big rice traders. Moreover, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has 1.6 million metric tons of rice in stock, which could last until May next year.
"In April we will enter the harvesting season, so no need for exports," Enggartiasto said during a year-end press briefing in Jakarta on Friday.
He added to avoid stockpiling, the big traders must register their storage and report the flow to the government every month. Currently there are 14,400 rice storages most of which have already been registered, Bulog itself has 152 storages.
Enggartiasto said that the sugar stock is also safe for four months. The government would also regulate a Rp 12,500 (92 US cents) per kg ceiling price next year.
For beef, he said the stock was already abundant, in fact almost overstocked.
"The beef importers association agreed to keep the price at Rp 80,000 per kg, if they hold the stock, we will counter it by self-importing through state-owned enterprises," he said. (evi)
