Trade Minister Zulhas Expressed 3 Biang Kerok Who Makes Chicken Prices Rise

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Broiler eggs have become commodities that have experienced price increases in recent times.

Related to this, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan admitted that the price of eggs had increased. In fact, once touched Rp33,000 per kg.

This was conveyed by Zulhas as Zulkifli Hasan's nickname in a Working Meeting with Commission VI of the DPR RI, at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 30.

"We report that most of the basic necessities as of August 26, 2022, have experienced a significant downward trend when compared to last month or last Sunday. Except for chicken eggs and flour, the flour has increased slightly," said Zulhas.

Zulhas said the price of broiler eggs had increased significantly.

He said, as of August 26, the price of broiler eggs rose to 6 percent.

"When I was appointed as minister, the price of chicken eggs was Rp. 32,000 but it gradually fell to Rp. 26,000. Yesterday it was creeping again to Rp. 32,000 to Rp. 33,000 and now we have checked East Java, which is between Rp. 28,000, Rp. 29,000, Rp. 30,000 to Central Java. DKI is still Rp. 30,500 per kg. Sumatra to Lampung is an average of below Rp. 30,000," he said.

Meanwhile, in Kalimantan, the price of broiler eggs is priced at Rp. 30,000 per kg. Zulhas admitted that the price of broiler eggs in several regions in Indonesia is still very high. However, Zulhas claims that there has been a downward trend in prices.

"Indeed, the still high ones are Papuan and Maluku, but the trend has dropped," he said.

Causes of the Price of Chicken Prices Raced Up

In front of Commission VI of the DPR, Zulhas revealed that there were three factors that caused the price of broiler eggs to increase.

First, the impact of early Afkir which was carried out in 2021.

For your information, early household is an effort to repeat the production of mothers so as not to lay eggs and become chicken seeds or DOC.

"Indeed, the increase was one impact than in 2021, eggs at that time cost Rp. 14,000, we are still in a pandemic, Rp. 14,000 is a loss, sir. Because the cost of eggs is around Rp. 24,000, because at that time it happened, what we call early afkir, the parent he cut it into chicken pieces. The impact is of course now," he explained.

Second, the effect of social assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs to the regions.

Zulhas explained that Social Minister Tri Rismaharini did not provide social assistance in the form of food.

However, the money given to the regions for social assistance was spent on basic necessities. One of them is eggs.

"The second is the increase, indeed the Minister of Social Affairs did not give eggs, but provided assistance to regions and regions to be used as aid in the form of food and it seems that the agreement between the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Social Affairs was first, because in the past the eggs were not sold, so the policy was continued even though the times were different," he explained.

"In the area as a PKH, the assistance is given food, including eggs and this is priced for 3 months, the 3-month rapel is within 5 days. So there is a lot of credit there. In the end, there is less market supply, so prices go up," he continued.

Finally, increasing demand from the food industry. Zulhas said, the relaxation given by the government made restaurants began to be crowded with visitors.

This also encourages an increase in the commodity of broiler eggs.

"Then the third one right now is that we even though we have to wear masks, but activities are almost recovering. Restaurants are full, those who eat are almost recovering. That also results in demand rising," he said.

Even so, Zulhas admitted that he had met business actors who were engaged in the broiler eggs sector to find out the cause of the soaring price of eggs.

According to entrepreneurs' confessions, said Zulhas, the price of eggs will soon fall in greetings within two weeks.

"But we have invited the perpetrators in this sector, they are not my word, what is very convincing to us is temporary, sir. It has been less than 2 weeks (down). Indeed, the normal price is Rp. 27,000-Rp. 29,000. So (the price) will range from Rp. 27,000- Rp. 29,000 because the capital is Rp. 24,000," he explained.