Food Boss Regarding The Elimination Of Import Quota: Don't Interpret Everything Open For Imports

Head of NFA Arief Prasetyo (doc. Badanas)

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, responded to President Prabowo Subianto's request that the import quota be removed.

According to him, it aims to protect farmers and breeders. Arief also emphasized that the elimination of quota does not mean an opportunity for entrepreneurs to open as many import taps as possible.

"That's what the president means to make it easier, open as wide as possible, not just one to two companies. The figure is already in the commodity balance, that's what is opened. Don't interpret that everything is opened for imports. Not like that," he explained in his statement, Thursday, April 10.

"So once again, imports are opened as much as possible here. We have a balance sheet, which means it is more about protecting farmers and breeders. We are compiling this together with the ministry of institutions and all food stakeholders," he continued.

He argues that imports may only be made for commodities that are considered unable to meet food needs in Indonesia. For example, meat. Based on data from the Food Balance Projection processed by Bapanas, the commodity of ruminansia meat such as beef and buffalo does show that there is still a deficit difference between stock availability and consumption needs. Stock at the beginning of this year was recorded at 65,600 tons.

Meanwhile, the projected daily consumption requirement is 766,900 tons. "So if there is a calculation, it will be opened like that. Don't just take one to two parties who receive the quota. The commodities imported are only lacking or offensive. For example, domestic meat production, it can't meet all our needs," explained Arief.

In addition to dengansia meat, soybean and garlic commodities also require procurement from abroad, aka imports. For soybeans, the availability until the end of the year is around 392,000 tons. Meanwhile, consumption needs each year are 2.6 million tons.

Meanwhile, the availability of garlic is currently 110,000 tons and production by the end of 2025 is estimated to be only 23,000 tons. Meanwhile, the consumption needs for a year can reach 622,000 tons.

Even so, said Arief, the government still prioritizes domestic food production. The balance of commodities that are prepared is of course always prioritizing protecting farmers and breeders in the country.

"Domestic production is always the main thing. Number one is. If it's not enough or scientific, now that's just thought of procurement from abroad. So procurement from abroad is the last alternative," he concluded.

Dalam agenda Sarasehan Ekonomi yang berlangsung di Jakarta, Presiden Prabowo Subianto menulakan pernyataan penghapusan kuota impor terutama terhadap komoditas yang menyangkut kegiatan orang banyak. Dirinya telah memberikan instruksi langsung kepada jajaran terkait untuk menghilangkan mekanisme kuota yang dapat menghambat kelancaran perdagangan.

"But what is clear is that the Coordinating Minister yesterday, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of BI is there, the Chairman of the DEN is there. I have given orders to eliminate import quotas. Especially for goods related to the lives of many people. Who can afford it, who wants to import, please, be free. No longer are we pointing out that only this is permissible, it is not allowed," said the president, quoted from the Cabinet Secretariat website, Tuesday, April 8.

One of the commodities conveyed by Prabowo was related to the import quota policy, one of which was meat. He instructed the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Trade to open up import opportunities for anyone.

"Anyone can import. What do you want to import, please open it. Our people are also good at it, right. Make quotas, after that companies A, B, C, D are only appointed. Only they can import, it's okay," said the Head of State.