Beef imports to be cut in 2011

The Agriculture Ministry has cut the volume of beef and cow innard imports by 30,000 tons and will reduce beef imports to 93,000 tons in 2011, Agriculture Minister Suswono said during a meeting with Commission IV lawmakers on Thursday.

He added that although the number of cows has reached 14.8 million, the ministry would not drastically reduce the quota of beef imports because this would affect the market psychologically.

He further said that the ministry had to guarantee the availability of cows for slaughter to meet the nation’s need for beef, which could top 430,000 tons, equivalent to 2.3 to 2.5 million cows per year.

He added that the government would also set its import cow quota at 600,000 and has suggested that beef imports be increased to 21,000 ton to meet demand from October to December. Another 7,000 tons will be needed to fulfill needs in January.

"The import permission for January 2012 must be issued in December 2011," he said, adding that the volume of local beef supplies would still be used as a factor in setting the import quota.