Indonesia may export 50,000 tons of premium quality rice to South Korea, the chief economics minister said on Wednesday, making it the first shipment of the grain to the country if the deal goes through.
Indonesia’s agriculture ministry added that an export license had been granted to suppliers in South Sulawesi.
The South Sulawesi governor had requested permission to export 200,000 tons of premium rice to South Korea, but the Indonesian government would only consider 50,000 tons as a first step, said Hatta Rajasa, the coordinating minister for the economy.
“By giving an export permit for premium rice, we also want to show the world that Indonesia has a potential to supply rice to the world market, because we are also dreaming of feeding the world,” Hatta said.