TEMPO.CO, Balikpapan - The average prices of beef in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, has reached an average of Rp120,000 per kilogram as the month of Ramadan approaches. "The high price is caused by a shortage of stock," said a beef vendor at Klandasan Market in Balikpapan on Satuday, May 28, 2016.
Wawan explained that the shortage is caused by the decision of meat distributors to stop supplying beef after reports of anthrax outbreaks in several cities across Indonesia.
"That said, demand has yet to rise although Ramadan is coming in around a week's time," continued Wawan, who said that on an average day, he could sell around 80 kilograms of beef. "Prices have remained stable - albeit at quite high prices - because demand usually spikes around a week before Eid al-Fitr."
Balikpapan's City Administration is known to have stopped the delivery of beef from areas where reports of anthrax outbreaks have surfaced to anticipate the spread of the disease, but local production is not sufficient enough to meet the market's demand for the time being - hence the high prices.
Furthermore, Balikpapan's cattle stock are still not ready to be slaughtered as it has to be fattened in local feedlots - and as such, the supply of beef will only begin to increase around the Eid al-Adha season.
Chicken prices have also increased by around Rp20,000 per kilogram. Smaller chickens are being sold in Balikpapan at an average price of Rp40,000, while bigger chickens are selling at an average price of Rp45,000 apiece. "Usually stocks will increase once the Eid holiday comes closer, as long as the distribution chain is uninterrupted" said Wawan.
SG WIBISONO
