Jakarta, Aug. 30 -- Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that rice prices have declined in 32 provinces following intensified distribution of subsidized rice under the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program.

"Based on task force monitoring, there has been a decline in 32 provinces," he said at a Cheap Food Movement (GPM) event at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta on Saturday.

His statement came in response to the surge in rice prices since June, which peaked in August.

According to data from the National Food Agency, the national average rice price stood at Rp15,595 (around US$0.95) per kilogram in May, rising to Rp15,747 in June, Rp16,046 in July, and peaking at Rp16,197 per kilogram in August.

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