February 19, 2013
Indonesian beef group urges government on speedy meat price stabilisation
In anticipation of the beef crisis, Beef Committee (KDS) Jakarta urged the government to stabilise the beef prices because for eight months, it was only recent that beef prices touched IDR90,000-95,000 (US$9.3-9.8) per kilogramme.
Sarman Simanjorang, Chairman KDS Jakarta judge, said that naturally the government will take the option to add beef import quotas. "Remember, about four months we have entered the Ramadan, the price could soar to IDR150,000 (US$15.5) per kilogramme," said Sarman, on Monday (Feb 18).
Calves importation process takes at least one month. Yet to import calves still need fattening process for three up to four months. Thus, KDS urged the government to impose a market reference price (HPP) for beef.
But Asnawi, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Meat Wholesalers (APDI) said that it is difficult to assess if the government determines the level of HPP meat traders. "Traders do not have a beef market, as 70% of supply is controlled by the importer," said Asnawi.
