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Govt admits mishandling of meat prices in Indonesia during Ramadhan
The Trade Ministry has revealed that it mishandled beef prices before Ramadhan, allowing them to skyrocket in Indonesia during the fasting month.
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Cowherds tie up cattle on board the KM Camara Nusantara 1 ship before it leaves for Jakarta from Tenau Port in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday. The ship is bringing 500 head of cattle to meet beef demand before Idul Fitri. (JP/Diemi Amnifu)
T
he Trade Ministry has revealed that it mishandled beef prices before Ramadhan, allowing them to skyrocket in Indonesia during the fasting month.
Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said on Wednesday that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had instructed the ministry to import beef, but the ministry failed to implement the order.
"I regretfully admit that the implementation was not successful," Thomas said after a Cabinet meeting at the State Palace.
Thomas said a lack of coordination between ministries and agencies was one of the causes of the price of beef reaching Rp120,000 (US$9) per kilogram in Indonesia, compared to US$4 in Australia and New Zealand.
"Of course, we take this as a lesson. I see that our traditional way of trading is unhealthy, so many things need to be improved," he added.
The Trade Ministry will increase beef imports to ease the rising prices, Minister Thomas said, promising that the price of beef will decline within two weeks.
He added that the ministry had issued permits for 23,300 tons of beef to be brought into the country, in addition to extending the beef import quota of state-owned companies to 27,400 tons. (dan)
