We are trying the pilot project of cold storage as a meat storing system hereBekasi, West Java (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir invited meatball hawkers associated with the Indonesian Noodle and Meatball Traders Association (Papmiso) to utilize beef storage technology during an interaction in Bekasi district, West Java, on Wednesday.
"We are trying the pilot project of cold storage as a meat storing system here," Thohir informed.
With the help of state lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia's funding and mentoring program, meatball or bakso traders can save more meat to tide over any price surge using cold storage technology, he added.
Related news: SOEs as "aircraft carrier" for Indonesia's economy: minister
"This is an important step because it is a form of serving the community, as the majority of people like meatballs, but we must consider the unbalanced market condition," Thohir explained.
He said that the high public demand for meat has forced the government to continue importing meat to maintain its availability in the market. As meat is imported, an increase in price is inevitable, thus cold storage can become one of the options to deal with the high prices, he added.
"When prices are cheap, (traders) can buy and store the meat, but the composition of meatballs remain fresh. That is what we are trying to fix and give solutions for," he elaborated.
He said he has also coordinated with members of the Bekasi District Regional Legislative Bodies to help draft regulations related to cooperation between meatball merchant cooperatives and state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
Related news: SOEs committed to expediting coal downstreaming: minister
Head of Papmiso Indonesia, Bambang Hariyanto, said that the increase in beef prices often becomes a problem for meatball traders in running their business.
Currently, the price of local meat in the market has hit around Rp125 thousand (per kg), while the price of imported meat from India is ranging between Rp140 thousand–Rp150 thousand (per kg) compared to Rp80 thousand–Rp100 thousand (per kg) normally, he informed.
"I think cold storage will be effective because when the price is cheap we can stock as much meat as possible. So, when prices rise or meat availability is scarce, our supplies remain safe," he said.
Related news: Indonesia to become fourth-strongest economy by 2045: Minister Thohir
Related news: SOEs ready to cooperate in establishing coffee ecosystem: Thohir
Translator: Pradita S, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
