Indonesia's plan to import 10 lakh (1 million) tonnes of rice from India is part of a broader strategy to meet its rice supply needs.

This announcement came during the bilateral discussions between the Indian Prime Minister and the Indonesian President on November 18, 2024, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The Indonesian government had initially set a rice import quota of 20 lakh tonnes for the year but later decided to increase this limit to 36 lakh tonnes due to growing demand and supply concerns. As a result, the plan to import 10 lakh tonnes from India was introduced.

This decision is facilitated by India's ample rice stock, and since the Indian government has lifted export restrictions on all varieties of rice, Indonesia is confident that shipments can be completed without difficulties. The rice import from India will be handled at the government level, and the process is expected to proceed rapidly.

While the Indonesian government has made special arrangements for the 10 lakh tonnes from India, the Trade Ministry has also stated that it is open to importing rice from other countries, as long as the prices are competitive.

Bulog, Indonesia's government agency responsible for logistics and national rice stock management, is also authorized to explore imports from any other country based on market conditions.

This move reflects Indonesia's commitment to securing its rice supply and managing the country's food security effectively while benefiting from India's rice production capacity.