If the domestic supply is sufficient, we do not need to import food staples."Pontianak (ANTARA News) - Indonesias government has no plans to import food staples to meet domestic demands ahead of Ramadhan and the upcoming Eid, as the current domestic supply is still sufficient, Trade Ministrys Secretary General Karyanto Suprih stated.
"In terms of imports, we must calculate first. If we face a shortage in domestic stocks, then we may import. However, based on our calculations, the current domestic production can meet the consumption needs of the citizens. If the domestic supply is sufficient, we do not need to import food staples," he remarked during a working visit to several traditional markets in Pontianak on Thursday.
Moreover, Suprih revealed that the current domestic production is still sufficient to meet the needs of society. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has directed the Ministry of Trade to maintain price stability and stock availability.
"Based on the results of our working visits to some regions in Indonesia and the latest local government reports, food stocks are still safe and sufficient. Hence, we need to maintain the availability of sufficient stocks, and the local governments also need to pay attention to price stability," he noted.
Suprih has called on the local governments to not resort to any "omission" if the food prices soar during Ramadhan and Eid celebrations.
"If there is an issue of rising prices, we encourage the local governments to seek solutions immediately. For instance, a region with surplus food stocks could send the goods to other regions that have less stock. This is a form of mutual cooperation," he stated.
The government has imported certain food items, such as frozen beef at Rp80 thousand per kilogram, in order to provide a cheaper alternative to society.
"Currently, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has 100 thousand tons of frozen beef in stock that were imported from India. We estimate that the stock can meet the needs of the people until August," he said.
Speaking in connection with the Indonesian peoples preference to consume fresh meat rather than the frozen form, he said it was merely a matter of habit. With regard to the health aspect, he said that frozen beef is more hygienic.
"In essence, the presence of frozen meat provides an option for citizens, as the government is selling beef at affordable prices that has good taste and is also hygienic. It is a form of the governments responsibility to society," he explained.
(Reported by Dedi/Uu.M052/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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