Indonesia’s rice price surged by 28.33% YoY in W49, reaching USD 0.87/kg, up from USD 0.68/kg in 2022. The increase is due to a prolonged dry spell, the driest in four years, affecting rice crops and leading to empty husks, posing a harvest threat. The significance of rice in Indonesia, its political sensitivity, and the impending government elections make the current situation a cause for worry, with prices possibly reaching a multi-year high of USD 0.98/kg.