August 22, 2022

 

Possibility for Indonesia to export corn due to adequate supply

Indonesia has the potential to export corn on account of a production surplus reaching three million tonnes, the State Logistics Board's (Bulog) commodity provision division head, Budi Cahyanto, said.

 

"Bulog is procuring the corn commodity directly from farmers and Bulog will conduct corn exports soon," Cahyanto noted during the Forum Merdeka Barat 9 online seminar.

 

The state company had planned to export corn earlier, he pointed out, adding that communication was intensified with the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, the Philippines, to realise corn exports soon.

 

Despite the current potential to export corn, the division head highlighted the lack of drying machines as the current issue that should be addressed. He explained that as the harvest will produce an outstanding quantity of corn, the commodity must be promptly dried to extend its longevity.

 

After the harvest season, the corn produce is often exposed to conditions that potentially cause mould and other contaminants that damage the commodity, he said.

 

"Hence, we need to move promptly to absorb (corn from farmers) as much as possible and continue to the drying process at the same time," Cahyanto noted.

 

He affirmed that Bulog continues to prepare to accommodate the increased corn yield during the harvest season through the development of corn-drying facilities.

 

Corn-drying centres have been developed by Bulog at six locations, with the total capacity expected to reach 108 thousand tonnes per year, Cahyanto stated.

 

"We will also circulate the stocks. Hence, when Indonesia suffers from a shortage of corn, then Bulog already has sufficient corn stocks," he explained.

 

Cahyanto highlighted the need for facility development to bolster the security of national food stocks and price stability in the future.

 

- ANTARA