He hoped that the ship, specially designed to transport cows, will help enhance efficiency and ensure that the price of cow meat remains stable.
"The price there (in East Nusa Tenggara) is Rp30,000 per kilogram. Due to better efficiency and reduced transportation cost, it came down from Rp1.5 million to Rp1.8 million prevalent once to only Rp330,000 now (using the ship). This is what we call "sea toll road," he said.
President Joko Widodo said after cows arrive in Jakarta and are slaughtered, the meat price falls to Rp36,000 to Rp37,000 per kilogram.
"The meat will later cost between Rp72,000 to Rp76,000 per kilogram," he said.
He said, however, that prices may vary depending on what cuts one needs of the animal.
He said he hoped that the price remains within the normal range in the market.
"It is hoped that in the not too distant future, the price of meat will be normal again, but we do not know (if it will really happen). Let us wait and see. We are dealing with market forces," he said.
He said another similar ship would arrive at the port, taking the number of such ships to seven.
He hoped that the cattle producing regions would benefit from these ships in their cattle distribution activities.
President Joko Widodo did not set a time frame for the meat prices to normalize.
"I do not know, it is a market issue. It will be the market that will determine the prices. It is about demand and supply. With the availability of supplies, one hopes the price will be normal," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
