Food producers fail to reach sales targets

SURABAYA: Food and beverages producers in East Java have failed to reach their sales targets prior to the Idul Fitri holiday because of peoples' low purchasing power amid the sharp increase in the price of foodstuffs, an executive says.

The chairman of the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (GAPMMI: Gabungan Pengusaha Makanan dan Minuman Indonesia), Yapto Willy Sinatra, said, on the sidelines of a GAPMMI meeting in Surabaya on Monday, that previously, producers in East Java had targeted an increase in sales of 60 percent during the month of Ramadan prior to Idul Fitri.

However, Yapto added, as of one week after the Ramadan fasting month started, the producers had only enjoyed an increase in sales of about 20 percent.

"We then decided to lower our target from 60 percent to about only 20 or 30 percent, even though we are ready to increase our production," he said. - JP