Strong earthquake hit Indonesia, sparking panic. On 16 June 2026, a 6.7 - magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, prompting residents to rush out of buildings in panic. A total of 71 aftershocks were recorded following the quake. According to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, the epicentre was located 42 kilometres southeast of Palu at a depth of 10 kilometres and no tsunami risk was identified.  There was no report of injuries.

Source: AHA Cnetre. (2026, June 16). M6.7 Earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia: Flash Update#1., ANTARA. (2026, June 16). Magnitude 6.7 earthquake rattles Central Sulawesi’s Palu., AsiaOne. (2026, June 16). 6.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia’s Sulawesi: BKMG., NDTV Profit. (2026, June 16). Earthquake Today: Massive 6.8-Magnitude Quake Strikes Indonesia’s Palu.

Floods forced the evacuation up to 92 in Malaysia. The number of flood evacuees in Perak, Malaysia, rose to 92 people from 33 families in 15 June 2025, compared with 17 evacuees the previous night. In response to severe floods, two temporary relief centres were set up in affected districts of Larut, Matang and Selama and Manjung to support those affected. Meanwhile, the residents were advised to remain vigilant for thunderstorm. In addition, water levels reached dangerous heights to 1.38 metres in Sungai Perak and 0.66 metres in Bagan Datuk respectively, according to the report of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.

Source: Malay Mail. (2026, June 15). Flood evacuees in Perak surge overnight, 92 people from 33 families housed at two centres.

Indonesia's rice reserves hit record 5.33 million tons. According to the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Indonesia's government rice reserves have reached a record 5.33 million tonnes, the highest in the country's history, strengthening the country's food security and its ability to manage global market uncertainties and food inflation. Bapanas has stepped up market oversight through a new task force that monitors compliance with retail price ceilings, reference prices, food quality, and safety standards. The agency has also expanded its Cheap Food Movement program, which has been held more than 5,200 times across 36 provinces to stabilise prices and improve access to staple foods. Moreover, the government aims to strengthen supply chains, control food inflation, and build a more resilient food system. National inflation remains within the government's target range, at 3.08 percent.

Source: ANTARA News. (2026, June 11). Indonesia's record 5.3M-ton rice stocks strengthen food security

Thai rice prices stay firm as Middle East shipping resumes. Thai rice prices are expected to remain firm after the United States and Iran reached a peace agreement that reopened the Strait of Hormuz, improving shipping access to Iraq and other Middle Eastern markets. While exporters expect logistics to recover, they said buying activity has yet to pick up as importers continue to assess market conditions. Market participants noted that limited paddy supply remains the main factor supporting prices, with fresh harvests still weeks away. Exporters also expect demand from Iraq to continue, while the potential easing of sanctions on Iran could provide additional support. Although new crop arrivals may bring some price pressure later, sources believe any decline is likely to be limited due to tight supply.

Source: S&P Global. (2026, June 15). Thai rice prices remain firm as Strait of Hormuz reopening may revive demand.

Japan’s rice consumption falls to a seven-year low. Japan’s per-capita monthly rice consumption declined 6.1 percent year over year to 4.435 kilogrammes in fiscal 2025, marking the lowest level in seven years, according to a recent consumer survey. The decline is equivalent to about 4.4 fewer bowls of rice per person. According to the survey, 64.5 percent of rice was consumed at home in March 2026, while prepared meals and dining out accounted for a combined 35.5 percent, reflecting a steady shift away from home cooking over the past decade. Supermarkets remained the main purchase channel, followed by rice received from family or friends, online shopping, and drugstores, while specialty rice retailers accounted for only 2.3 percent of purchases. According to convenience store records, the highest average rice price was 1,038 JPY (6.46 USD) per kilogram, nearly double the 518 JPY (3.23 USD) per kilogram average for rice bought directly from producers. Supermarket and online rice prices averaged about 773 JPY (4.81 USD) per kilogram.

*1 USD = 160.62 JPY

Source: nippon.com. (2026, June 09). Japan’s Rice Consumption Sinks to Lowest Level in Seven Years.