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Govt considers restricting cassava, tapioca imports
The government is mulling over a plan to restrict cassava and tapioca imports as local farmers bemoan unsold domestic produce.
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Illustration photo of cassava tubers. (Shutterstock/Julio Ricco)
The government is mulling over a plan to restrict cassava and tapioca imports as local farmers bemoan unsold domestic produce.
The Trade Ministry’s acting foreign trade director general, Isy Karim, said the ministry was ready to review a proposal to restrict the import of the commodities.
The review would be conducted in coordination with Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister.
Isy went on to explain that discussions on possible import restrictions would proceed “under favorable global economic conditions.”
“The decision regarding import restrictions on cassava and tapioca will be based on input from relevant stakeholders and careful evaluation of national and regional economic developments,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso pointed out on Feb. 5 that many locally produced cassava products were not being fully absorbed by the domestic market.
“There have been numerous reports of unsold local cassava products. Not only is demand low, but local cassava also tends to be priced lower than imported alternatives,” Budi said.
