Bulog Expresss The Cause Of Import Soybeans From South Africa Not Visiting Indonesia

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Director of Supply Chain and Public Services, Perum Bulog Mokhamad Suyamto, revealed that the cause of imported soybeans from South Africa has not entered Indonesia.

This is because African soybeans have not entered the Indonesian food quarantine system.

As is known, Bulog explores soybean importation from South Africa and the United States. The total import quota explored was 350,000 tons according to the results of a limited coordination meeting with the government.

However, until January 2023 there is no clarity regarding the arrival of the imported soybeans.

"Why is it late? Because the African Soybeans have never been brought to Indonesia and have never been recorded in the Indonesian quarantine system. So that in terms of food safety it has not been recognized here," he told reporters, written Monday, January 16.

Suyamto said that there are still many quarantine documents that must be taken care of first.

According to him, later the person who will take care of the documents will be a party from South Africa.

"So it takes time to take care of it, and those who take care of it later will be quarantined from South Africa, need prognostic documents, these sanitary documents that need to be done and need time," he explained.

Suyamto explained that South Africa was chosen as an alternative soybean importer, because the price was cheaper than the United States.

"We will try alternatives other than the US. We plan from South Africa to get it so that it can cost Rp10,500," he said.

Previously, it was said that the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan criticized Perum Bulog for being slow in realizing the import quota of 350,000 tons of soybeans.

Even though this has been decided in a limited meeting (ratas) in November 2022.

Initially, Bulog admitted that he was ready to carry out the assignment and would bring in 350,000 tons of soybeans in November 2022. However, until now the Bulog's promise has not been realized.

"At that time, Mr. Bulog (President Director) said it could be IDR 10,500, from November, December it didn't go into the goods," he said when met in Cilegon, Banten, Sunday, January 15.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, assessed that SOEs should have taken strategic steps when commodity prices in the market experienced price increases. Including, soybean prices.

He admitted that he was angry because Bulog did not keep his promise. In fact, according to him, when the stock is met, market interventions can be carried out. This method is believed to be able to reduce prices in the market.

"I strongly protested because of the promises, 'this goods will come, sir, at the end of December', he said in January, which date has it been, I don't think this will be possible," he said.