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More buffalo meat to enter local market
The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has begun importing the second batch of buffalo meat from India since early November to meet anticipated increased demand for meat next month.
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Meaty products: Consumers buy beef at Pasar Minggu Market in South Jakarta. Stubbornly high beef prices have forced the government to fill the market with alternative products, including buffalo meat. (JP/Viriya Paramita Singgih)
T
he State Logistics Agency has begun importing the second batch of buffalo meat from India since early November to meet anticipated increased demand for meat next month.
Bulog spokesman Muhson told The Jakarta Post that the institution expected to see up to 16,000 tons of buffalo meat enter the local market by the end of the month.
“Next month, we will welcome Christmas and New Year celebrations, when demand for food usually increases," he said on Monday, adding that Bulog also has an option to import up to 10,000 tons more in early December.
Buffalo meat is considered a more affordable option than beef, the price of which has remained stubbornly high at Rp 120,000 (US$9.17) per kilogram in markets. Indonesia has for decades imported most of its beef from Australia and New Zealand.
Buffalo meat, on the other hand, is sold for Rp 65,000 in traditional markets in Greater Jakarta. Bulog has specified that market vendors can only buy the meat from associations in order to keep prices under control.
The first batch of Indian buffalo meat, weighing 10,000 tons in total, arrived in Jakarta gradually in August and September. Muhson claimed that 94 percent of the stock had been absorbed by the local market.
Bulog commercial director Karyawan “Wawan” Gunarso said traditional markets could not impose prices higher than Rp 65,000 for the meat as it had been decided upon by the government.
“Bulog sold the buffalo meat for Rp 56,000 per kilogram to wholesalers. The wholesalers then sold the meat for Rp 60,000 to traditional markets, which sold the meat to customers for Rp 65,000,” he said. (adt/hwa)
