"We are targeting the import of meat of up to 100 thousand tons. A total of 70 thousand tons by the end of December 2016, the remaining 30 thousand tons for the preparation of fasting and Idul Fitri," said Darmin.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government plans to import buffalo meat from India in the near future to suppress commodity prices and fulfill animal protein requirements for the community, in preparation for Ramadan and Eid 2017.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution chaired a stabilization of prices and availability of food meeting here on Tuesday, and said the government would import up to 100 thousand tons of buffalo meat, an import permit for which will be granted until June 2017.

"We are targeting the import of meat of up to 100 thousand tons. A total of 70 thousand tons by the end of December 2016, the remaining 30 thousand tons for the preparation of fasting and Idul Fitri," said Darmin.

He further stated that demand for buffalo meat is currently pegged at 10 thousand tons and that earlier imports were exhausted before September 2016. The demand for buffalo meat has been growing, especially from the food industry.

Meanwhile, the President Director of National Logistics Agency (Bulog), Djarot Kusumayakti said buffalo meat being sold is currently priced at Rp60,000 per kilogram at the retail level and Rp65 thousand per kilogram at the consumer level.

"We do direct sales to keep prices stable, and most of the market can accept buffalo meat as is. Even, some "sanitary and phytosanitary" (SPS) meat cannot be served because it is still being processed. Some meat is still undergoing the quarantine process, which has already qualified for being released directly," Djarot added.

He also said the import of buffalo meat that has been carried out until today has reached 5,300 tons, of which 1,400 tons have been checked by quarantine, and 1,500 tons have escaped SPS requirements.

"Whats done at the port may be around 2,000 tons, the rest is in storage and still undergoing a quarantine verification process," Djarot noted.

The meat imports are expected to reduce the prices of fresh beef, which is expected to enter the territory at a more reasonable price.

"Hopefully, people can obtain a healthy meat alternative at the same cost because we sell at Rp65,000 per kilogram to consumers, which means we sell to traders for less because they need the income," said Djarot.

The meeting on price stabilization and food availability was attended by the Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, Agricultural and Spatial Planning/Head of National Land Agency Minister Sofyan Djalil, the Vice Minister of Finance Mardiasmo, President Director of Bulog Djarot Kusumayakti, and representatives of relevant ministries/agencies.

The meeting mainly discussed the evaluation issue of buffalo meat, which is claimed to have considerable demand, both from the industry and the market.

Regarding the plan to import 70 thousand tons of buffalo meat by the end of December 2016, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said it will prioritize aspects of the fulfillment of the availability of meat protein for the community.

"Requirements, especially in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), will be met. The point is how to make the protein available to people. Remember, we only reached 2.5 kilograms per year in meat consumption, the neighboring countries are already touching 25 kilograms per year," said Amran.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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