Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The state logistics agency Bulog said the shortage of subsidized rice under the government’s Price and Supply Stabilization Program (SPHP) in modern retail stores was caused by surging demand.

“Perhaps because so many people bought it, stocks ran out and we need to wait for the next delivery,” Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani told reporters on Monday (1/9/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

He explained that once store stocks are depleted, retailers must reorder, a process that takes time due to repackaging and distribution. 

Rizal stressed Bulog is committed to supplying up to 1.3 million tons of SPHP rice by December 2025, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to maximize distribution.

Bulog said national distribution reached 8,000 tons on 25 August 2025, above the daily average of 6,000–7,000 tons. Since January, more than 259,000 tons have been delivered through markets, cooperatives, retail chains, and food security programs across Indonesia.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)