Indonesia Taps State Firms for Beef and Buffalo Meat Imports

TheIndonesia.id - The Indonesian government has tasked state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with importing a total of 200 thousand tons of beef and buffalo meat in a strategic move aimed at securing the country's food supply and controlling the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

According to Antara News Agency, Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, revealed that SOEs will import 100 thousand tons of each meat type, while private companies will import an additional 80 thousand tons of beef. This decision was made during a limited coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food's office in Jakarta on January 31, 2025.

Minister Hasan explained that the involvement of SOEs is crucial for closely monitoring imports, particularly given the rainy season’s potential role in spreading livestock diseases. "By assigning import tasks to SOEs, we can better oversee the process and mitigate risks," he said.

The move is also part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure adequate meat stocks and stabilize food prices, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives. The government aims to ensure sufficient supply while maintaining affordability for the public.

Additionally, during the meeting, the ministry highlighted the importance of Presidential Regulation No. 126 of 2022, which seeks to accelerate the development of the national salt industry. Minister Hasan called on Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono to prepare for the regulation's full implementation, which will end salt imports for the food and beverage sector in 2025.

In closing, the government emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between ministries and other state institutions to guarantee that food commodities are available at reasonable prices, benefiting both the public and local farmers and fishermen.