Indonesian Govt to Import Beef, Buffalo Meat for Ramadan and Eid
Indonesian government plans to import meat on a limited basis to meet the need for beef and buffalo meat during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono said the Indonesian government plans to import on a limited basis to meet the need for beef and buffalo meat during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. This is done because the current stock is still less than the total needed.
"Yes, there is stock, we have stock if I'm not mistaken of 18,000 tons, but maybe less. "That's why we have decided today to immediately import," said Sudaryono in his official statement on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
He said the government needs at least 120,000 tons of meat so that prices remain stable amidst high demand. Imports will only be carried out entirely by State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). According to him, this policy was taken so that the government has more freedom to regulate meat importers.
"Why BUMN? It is a state tool to control, we can push it, we can order it, we can pressure it for the sake of the people," he explained.
Therefore, Sudaryono appealed to the public not to worry about price increases. He promised that meat stocks would be available before Ramadan arrives. "We all work and according to market needs. We must be optimistic that before Ramadan the need for meat will be available. Later we can bring it from Brazil, or from Australia, and from anywhere that is approved," he said.
The same thing was also expressed by the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi. He guaranteed that the need for meat would be met in the near future.
"We will prepare a stock of 120,000 tons until Eid. We will arrange the distribution. Don't worry, because the Deputy Minister of Agriculture is my friend, so everything will run smoothly," said Arief.
Previously, the government had set 180,000 tons of regular imported beef in the 2025 commodity balance. Then as of February 5, 2025, the government officially added to this year's commodity balance by including 100,000 buffalo meat.
Head of Bapanas Arief Prasetyo Adi claimed that this additional import could control prices in the market. In addition, Arief said that the buffalo meat that would be imported from India was also intended for stock throughout 2025.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to writing this article.
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