The Indonesian Bureau of Logistics (Bulog) has signed a purchase agreement with Myanmar's Rice Industry Association (MRIA) on Saturday to import between 100,000 and 200,000 tons of 5 percent broken Myanmar rice type every year.
The deal marked a new trade between both countries in the last 10 years.
Bulog is recorded to import 1.9 million tonnes of rice from Thailand, Vietnam and India in 2011, recently said to halt rice import to meet the self sufficiency target in 2014. But the high demands for rice, reaching around 140 kg per capita, could not be covered by national production alone, said Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan.
Straits Times quoted that a ton of 5 percent broken Myanmar rice is priced around US$500 at the international market. (eaz)
