Stability of rice availability and prices in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war

Abstract

Rice is the staple food for Indonesians and is important in social, economic, and political life. Due to its role, the Indonesian government maintains the stability of rice availability and prices in all regions throughout the year. This task faced enormous challenges in the last three years due to the current external shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War. This paper aimed to analyse the stability of rice availability and prices during these external shocks. This study used secondary data at the national level from 2019 (base year) to 2022. Data was analysed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative methods. A coefficient of variation measures the degree of rice price volatility. This study concludes that during the current external shocks, Indonesia was able to increase rice production to meet household needs and maintain stability in rice availability and price, but national rice reserves were depleted. To achieve food security sustainably, the government should continue to stabilise rice availability and price by increasing domestic rice production, managing government rice reserves, implementing rice price policies at the producer and consumer levels, and adopting rice import policies that consider the interests of consumers and farmers in a balanced manner.