Politics · Indonesia · 12 hrs ago
Indonesia steps up food supply measures ahead of year-end holidays
Indonesia is stepping up measures to protect food supplies and prices ahead of Christmas and New Year.
The government discussed the plans at a meeting in Jakarta led by Food Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan.
Red and bird’s-eye chilli prices are rising in many areas, after extreme weather and a long dry spell damaged harvests.
Officials are also monitoring rice, chicken and eggs, while prices vary from one area to another.
Market operations have been held in 134 areas where rice prices rose, with subsidised rice supplied through Bulog.
The government is also arranging trade between regions so areas with extra food can supply places facing shortages.
The measures aim to keep food available and affordable as demand rises at year-end and during the following Ramadan period.
Indonesia is strengthening measures to protect food supplies and prices ahead of Christmas and New Year, while preparing for possible El Niño impacts.
The measures include market operations, trade between regions, price monitoring and distribution oversight.
Government data for the third week of October 2026 showed price increases in many areas, especially for red and bird’s-eye chillies.
The government said rice, chicken meat and eggs also need continued monitoring.
Rice market operations had been conducted in 134 areas where rice prices rose.
- Who
- Indonesia’s government, including the food ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and local governments.
- What
- It is stepping up measures to maintain food supplies and keep prices affordable ahead of the year-end holidays.
- When
- The measures were discussed on 26 October 2026, ahead of Christmas and New Year.
- Where
- Indonesia, with the coordination meeting held in Jakarta.
- Why
- To prepare for higher year-end demand, mitigate possible El Niño impacts and address food price pressures.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Home Affairs Ministry data showed price increases in many areas, especially for red and bird’s-eye chillies.
A food coordination meeting chaired by Zulkifli Hasan in Jakarta discussed measures to protect supplies and prices ahead of Christmas and New Year.
- Rice market operations
- Conducted in 134 areas where rice prices had risen
- Price monitoring
- Home Affairs Ministry data covered the third week of October 2026
- Inspection teams
- Five teams were sent to check 100 of 339 areas that had received agricultural assistance
- Food coordination meeting
- Held in Jakarta on 26 October 2026
What people are saying
Ahead of Christmas and New Year, we must prepare well in advance so we have enough time to anticipate various possibilities. We are strengthening government food reserves and preparing supplies and distribution as well as possible.