Rice market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

The Indonesian rice market began the period with a significant contraction after 2018, as domestic production fell from its 2017 peak. This led to a spike in imports, reaching 2.25 million tons in 2018, with the state-owned Bulog actively managing stocks and distribution. Government market operations and price controls stabilized the market, though the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions that further pressured availability.

From 2021, structural issues in rice production and reduced fertilizer subsidies contributed to a gradual decline in output. However, in 2022 and 2023, global factors including export restrictions by major producers, prolonged El Nino, and rising fertilizer prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war drove up international rice prices. In response, Bulog substantially increased imports, which reached 1.6 million tons by September 2023, expanding the domestic market size despite lower production.

Government interventions continued through food aid programs and distribution controls, while a trend toward dietary diversification reduced per capita rice consumption. These measures aimed to ensure price stability and food security throughout the period.

Production rice in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Indonesia ranked as the world's third-largest producer of rice.

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

In 2021, Indonesia produced 54 415 thousand tonnes of rice, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 7.8%, while the largest increase was a modest 0.1% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports rice from Indonesia

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2021 at 3 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.4-fold difference. In 2021, rice exports from Indonesia surged by 790.8% compared to 2020. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 91.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the Philippines, Israel, and Turkey consistently led as the top destinations for Indonesia's rice exports by volume. The Philippines accounted for 42.5% of exports, Israel for 28.1%, and Turkey for 14.0%, together making up 84.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values bottomed in 2019 at 1 million US dollars and peaked in 2021 at 3 million US dollars, a 3.7-fold increase. In 2021, Indonesia's rice exports in value terms rose by 157.4% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 53.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Israel were the primary destinations for Indonesia's rice exports by value. The Philippines represented 31.6% of exports, Brunei Darussalam 17.8%, and Israel 12.7%, collectively accounting for 62.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports rice to Indonesia

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2020 at 356 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2018, with a 6.3-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Indonesia imported 408 thousand tonnes of rice, up 14.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 80.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan were the main sources of rice imports by volume for Indonesia. Thailand contributed 29.1% of imports, Vietnam 27.6%, and Pakistan 19.0%, together representing 75.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.6-fold difference. In 2021, Indonesia imported rice worth a total that decreased by 5.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 82.2%, while the largest increase was 6.1% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan were the largest suppliers of rice to Indonesia by value. Thailand accounted for 33.9% of imports, Vietnam for 28.8%, and Pakistan for 16.5%, together forming 79.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021