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Ministry records surpluses of meat, eggs throughout Ramadan
According to Agriculture Ministry data, the country was expected to have an excess 30,373 tons of chicken meat and 153,761 tons of eggs in May and June.
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Two workers sort and pack eggs at a local chicken egg farm in Blitar, East Java on May 8.
(JP/Asip Hasani)
T
he Agriculture Ministry is claiming that the supply of meat and eggs was more than enough to meet the high demand for them during Ramadan.
The ministry’s livestock and animal health director, I Ketut Diarmita, explained that his team has recorded 2,450 metric tons of surplus beef and buffalo meat.
According to ministry's data, he said he expected there would be an excess 30,373 tons of chicken meat and 153,761 tons of eggs in May and June.
“We have actually anticipated the Ramadan month's [high demand] since four months ago, so there is little chance for us to have a shortage,” Ketut said on Friday.
However, he admitted that domestic producers are only able to fulfill 67 percent of the country's beef and buffalo meat needs. He said more has to be imported from India and Australia to close the gap.
Still, the ministry has recorded 8,438 tons of beef in its warehouse and at least 2,886 tons of buffalo meat held by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).
Asked about rising prices in specific markets, Ketut accused brokers of manipulating them until the commodities reached retail outlets. He cited the example of products that initially cost between Rp 80,000 (US$5.59) and Rp 90,000, but then cost about Rp 140,000 at market.
“We will keep our eyes open for prices in the markets, including those that are prone to [fluctuations]. If we see there is a shortage of commodities, we will intervene through market operations,” Ketut said. (evi)
