Beer Producers Seeks Clarity on Sales Ban
19 February 2015 13:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ban to sale alcoholic beverages in minimarket has shown significant impacts on beer producers. The Indonesian Malt Beverage Industry Group (GIMMI) is requesting the Trade Ministry to clarify the ban, as they are unsure of whether the ban is also applied to other types of retailers.
GIMMI executive member Bambang Britono said retailers are also wondering the same thing, and have turned towards the group for clarification. "Some of them even returned products," he said on Wednesday, February 18th.
According to Bambang, the impact of the ban has been seen among alcoholic beverage manufacturers, including local beer producers whose work shift had decreased.
Bambang said that if the ban is also applied to other retailers, the national beer sales chain would partially collapse and customers would have difficulties in finding beer.
Beer distribution through mini markets accounted for 12 percent of the total distribution. The remaining 88 percent is distributed in other sales venues such as bars, restaurants and cafes.
The prohibition of beer sale in minimarkets is also expected to affect the tourism sector, as beer is one of the industry's supporting products.
The ban will take effect in April 2015 as stipulated in the Trade Minister Regulation No.6/2015.
AMIRULLAH