Trade Minister Lutfi Calls Beef Prices Will Rise: Because Prices In Australia Are Already Expensive

Minister of Trade, M. Lutfi. (Photo: Doc. Of the Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi conveyed that the Ministry of Trade is trying to anticipate the increase in beef prices ahead of Ramadan month, although the increase is predicted to be inevitable.

"I want to state that this price will increase. But, hopefully, the preparations made by the Ministry of Trade can be more affordable because the world situation is indeed uncertain", said Trade Minister M Lutfi, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, March 16.

Minister of Trade Lutfi explained that Indonesia is the largest importer of beef from Australia so that legally, Indonesia can only import beef from Australia. The country of kangaroos is also referred to by the Ministry of Trade as a reliable supplier for exporting beef.

When the forest fires occurred in 2019, their cattle stock structure changed, which also affected the structure of their beef exports. As a result, the price of cattle in Australia has soared.

"Because the price is high in Australia, Indonesia is also getting high", explained Trade Minister Lutfi.

For this reason, the Ministry of Trade anticipates this by substituting demand for cows and beef.

According to the Minister of Trade Lutfi, what has been decided and imported at this time is the import of buffalo meat from India, which amounts to 80,000 tons, which then the Ministry of Trade is given the task by the Ministry of BUMN to assign Perum Bulog (Indonesia's National Food Logistics Agency) to carry out imports. Meanwhile, 20,000 meat from Brazil was ordered to PT Berdikari.

Also, Trade Minister Lutfi conveyed that the Ministry of Trade's Director General of Domestic Trade will mobilize the availability of national beef, especially in West Kalimantan and East Java.

The Minister of Trade hopes that these efforts can reduce the increase in beef prices that may occur ahead of Ramadan.