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Chicken farmers call for corn imports to stabilize feed prices
Corn used for animal feed can only be imported by a state agency, but farmers say that must change to bring down their operational costs.
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A poultry farmer checks on his chicken in the village of Keude Birem in Birem Bayeun district, East Aceh regency, Aceh, in April 2016. (Antara/Syifa Yulinnas)
N
ational Food Agency (Bapanas) head Arief Prasetyo Adi has raised the alarm over a surge in the price of chicken due to the high price of corn, which is the main input for chicken feed.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo also pointed out the rise in chicken prices during a visit to a traditional market on June 26 and vowed to resolve the issue.
Herry Dermawan, head of the National Poultry Breeders Association (Gopan), said there was a shortage of corn in the market, with nationwide supplies expected to fall to 650,000 tonnes next month, well short of the monthly demand of around 800,000 tonnes.
"Feed suppliers have warned that the price will increase. Thus, the price of day-old-chickens [to be raised into mature chickens] will also increase," Herry said in an online interview with CNBC Indonesia on Monday.
Herry, who is also a member of the West Java Legislative Council (DPRD), called for the reopening of corn imports, arguing that it could help stabilize corn prices in the country until the harvest period brings additional supply.
According to Trade Ministry Regulation No. 21/2018, corn used for animal feed can only be imported by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) at the direction of the government.
