In the first half of 2024, Indonesia's domestic rice supply-demand gap is expected to narrow to a surplus of 1.7 million metric tons, down from a surplus of 3.36 million tons last year. The country faced drought conditions induced by El Niño in the second half of 2023, which delayed planting seasons and adversely affected harvests, leading to a rice deficit in January and February. Total rice production from January to June is projected to reach 17.09 million tons, surpassing the total demand of 15.39 million tons estimated for the same period. Planting activities during the October-November 2023 season were impacted by water scarcity, contributing to the deficit experienced in January and February.