February 18, 2011

Indonesia to import over 50,000 tonnes beef in 2011

The Indonesian government would revise up its beef import quota of 50,000 tonnes this year to stabilise prices, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono said Thursday (Feb 17).

The minister ensured that that the government would import more than 50,000 tonnes of beef but no more than last year quota of 70, 000 tonnes of beef.

The ministry would determine the precise number after a planned meeting with all stakeholders so that the import would not harm consumers and breeders.

"The import may be more than 50,000 tonnes," but no more than 700,000 tonnes, he said.

The government has decided to reduce dependency on beef importation, the authorities have started to gradually reduce import of the products and would delete it in coming years.

But the minister said that the government may raise the volume should the price increase.

Breeders association has drawn complain over plan to import more beef to trim rising prices.