Beef Vendors Strike, Millions Have Been Lost, Prices Haven't Dropped Too

Illustration of a beef seller/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA – Expecting prices to fall, beef traders went on strike from February 28 to March 4. However, it was considered futile, did not make the price of beef go down, it was still IDR 140 thousand per kilogram.

"Yes, I think it's useless. Because we expect prices to go down", said one of the beef traders, Adi, at the Pal Merah Market, Slipi, West Jakarta, Friday, March 4.

Adi said that the five-day strike made the meat traders lose money because they did not get any income.

"I lost millions because of the strike yesterday", said Adi.

Adi said that during the strike, he should be able to sell 5 to 6 kilograms of beef per day.

In fact, when the price of beef was in the range of IDR 110,000 per kilogram, Adi could sell 10 kilograms to 20 kilograms per day.

"Now, I'll just see, it's still quiet. Especially when the price is still IDR 140,000", he said.

Meanwhile, another cattle trader, Suminta (54) admits it is difficult to sell meat at IDR 140,000 per kilogram.

In fact, according to her, the possibility of prices will continue to rise near the day of Eid.

"Last year, during Eid, it could be up to IDR 150,000", said Suminta.

She hopes that the government will help cattle traders to lower the price of the meat per kilogram to make it easier for them to sell their wares.

Previously, all-beef traders, including at Slipi Market, West Jakarta, went on strike from February 28 to March 4, 2022, due to soaring beef prices.

Under normal conditions, the price of beef is IDR 110,000 per kilogram, but now the price has reached IDR 140,000 per kilogram, as a result, traders have difficulty selling beef.