Minister of Agriculture Amran Uncovers the Causes of Rising Chicken and Egg Prices

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman opened up about the causes of the increase in the price of chicken meat and chicken eggs in a number of markets.

He said the spike was triggered by the actions of rogue middlemen who raised prices above the provisions.

According to Amran, the middleman traders raised the price of chicken meat to Rp23,000 per kilogram (kg), while chicken eggs were Rp8,000 per kg.

"It turns out that the middleman is the one who raises it. The meat he raised Rp. 23,000 per kilogram. Chicken he raised Rp. 8,000 per kilogram," said Amran at the Perum Bulog Warehouse for DKI Jakarta & Banten, Jakarta, Wednesday, March 4.

Amran said the price from the big distributor was actually in accordance with the provisions.

However, the presence of rogue traders has caused prices at the market level to increase.

However, Amran ensured that the problem had been handled. The government, he said, had intervened so that the price of chicken meat and chicken eggs began to gradually decrease.

"The chicken meat and the eggs were already ready," he said.

Amran also ensured that the government would not remain silent against business actors who played prices above the Highest Retail Price (HET).

Strict enforcement, including the possibility of closing the company, can be carried out if it is proven to have violated the rules.

"We ask for a seal to be closed. I am responsible. Yes, it can be closed, the company. Is there a company? There is a HET, it cannot be violated," said Amran.