Reasons For Importing Food Trays For MBG, Head Of BGN: Domestic Production Only 10 Million Per Month

MBG (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has spoken out regarding the easing of imports of food trays for the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) Program.

Dadan emphasized that the import relaxation was implemented because domestic production was insufficient to meet demand. He revealed that from the beginning, his agency had been collaborating with the cutlery manufacturers' association to support the MBG, but the response was not optimal.

"We have invited the kitchen equipment and cutlery business association. We visited their factory to produce trays starting in 2024, but they did not (produce more for the MBG program) because they (the association) did not believe the program would work," Dadan said at the Ministry of Public Works office, as quoted on Wednesday, August 6.

He stated that currently, domestic production can only supply around 10 million food trays per month. Meanwhile, by November, the government will need 70 million units to support the massive implementation of the MBG.

"Because currently, domestic production is only 10 million per month, while we will need 70 million in November, August, September, October, November. Four times 10, that's 40 million (food trays). So, where will the other 30 million come from if we don't import?" he said.

Furthermore, Dadan reminded that in 2026, the National Food Container Producers Agency (BGN) will no longer conduct tenders for the procurement of MBG facilities and infrastructure, including food trays. BGN's focus will shift to services, not goods procurement.

"Next year, there won't be any more. We will complete all the infrastructure this year. Next year, it will only be services," he said.

For the record, the government has relaxed the importation of food trays for MBG because they are included in the products supporting the national program.

This means these products are no longer included in the list of goods subject to prohibitions and/or restrictions (lartas).

Businesspeople from the Indonesian Food Container Producers Association (Apmaki) have requested that the government not relax the import policy for food trays for the MBG program. This could threaten domestic producers.

According to Apmaki, food container manufacturers have modified their old factories for the program.

They have even invested directly to support the government program.