JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has ensured that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program has not triggered an increase in the price of fishery products in the market.
Acting Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products KKP Machmud said that the impact of President Prabowo Subianto's priority program on the price of fishery products has not been seen.
"According to us, not yet. Not yet, yes. Until now it has not (caused an increase in fish prices because of MBG), because the position for catfish and tilapia is also there. So, it does not interfere with the market there," said Machmud when met by reporters at the KKP office, Jakarta, Thursday, February 19.
As for the 2026 Ramadan period, Machmud said, some MBG implementers actually replaced the menu with dried fish or processed fish, so as not to put pressure on the fresh fish market.
Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture has recorded nearly 100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who have cooperated with the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) or MBG kitchen to supply fish, especially tilapia and catfish.
In the future, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries will also prepare for supply reinforcement through strategic programs such as thematic cultivation, salt tilapia cultivation, and revitalization of the Pantura fishery to ensure the availability of fish protein, including to support the needs of MBG which is targeted to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries.
Based on monitoring at a number of locations, including at the Surabaya Customs Market, KKP noted that fish prices had increased, although not significantly.
"The prices of fish ahead of Eid are increasing, but not too much. In fact, yesterday there were some fish whose prices fell," he said.
Machmud explained that the main factor driving the price increase came from the increased demand ahead of Ramadan. According to him, the high consumption interest makes the turnover of fish in the market very fast.
"Just yesterday, one trader was able to sell 700-800 quintals, even though there were 200 traders there. The demand (high) is quickly exhausted. At that time, it was quickly exhausted in just a few hours, indeed the demand is very high," he explained.
However, said Machmud, several commodities actually recorded a decrease in prices such as balloons, string and kites, as supplies are abundant.
Meanwhile, cultured fish such as tilapia and catfish are relatively stable at around Rp25,000-Rp30,000 per kilogram because production is maintained.
"So, the traders yesterday conveyed to us that if production and distribution are smooth, prices will be stable," he added.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
