TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government will import beef from several countries to stabilize beef price according to the targeted price set by President Joko Widodo of Rp80,000 per kilogram.

“To achieve the target, we will increase beef supply and beef imports,” said Trade Minister Thomas Lembong after a coordination meeting with other ministries in the Agriculture Ministry building, Tuesday, 31 May, 2016.

According to him, the government has gathered 27,400 tons of beef from several countries. He said that Australia is currently the main supplier of raw and sliced beef. He said there are two to three other countries that also supply beef to Indonesia this year.

“At present, 1,800 tons have been delivered, packed and sold in retail. It will continue gradually,” Lembong said. He said that there are possibilities for other countries to supply beef to Indonesia.

SOEs Minister Rini Soemarno said of the total imports, some were carried out by SOEs and Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD). The national logistics agency (Bulog) imported 10,000 tons, PT Berdikari imported 5,000 tons and PT Dharmajaya imported 500 tons.

Rini explained, the government will hold market operations to stabilize beef price. “Bulog will conduct market operations, they will also oversee them together with the BPS (Central Statistic Agency),” he said. Market operations have already been carried out yesterday, she said.

Rini said she is targeting price change to occur at the end of the first week of fasting month. However, Lembong considered that price change will not occur that quickly.

“I’m a conservative and a gradualist. I don’t think the price will decrease soon. But I think the most important thing is that the trend is clearly stable and tends to decrease. In two to three weeks I think change will be notable,” Lembong said.

EGI ADYATAMA