"I think their number will be higher than that. We will import as many cows as possible to keep down beef price," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said Indonesia will import more than 3,000 cows before the end of this month to curb beef price ahead of the Lebaran post-fasting month festivities.
"I think their number will be higher than that. We will import as many cows as possible to keep down beef price," he said on Friday.
With the high import of cows, the government expected the beef price would be equal to the average price of Rp76,000 a kg in last year`s fasting month of Ramadan, he said.
"Hopefully, a significant decline (in the beef price)can be seen ahead of Lebaran. Beef price currently fetches Rp95,000 a kg or even higher (in a number of areas)," he said.
Asked to comment on an alleged cartel involving a number of beef importers, Gita said it was too early to arrive at such an allegation.
What was clear, beef supplies nationwide fell short of soaring demand in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, he said.
"On a national scale, supplies are not enough. So the price remains high, regardless of whether or not the alleged cartel is true," the minister pointed out.
The government through the trade ministry and the agriculture ministry has decided to import cows without certain quota to stabilize the beef price.
In addition, the government also has appointed state logistics board (Bulog) to import 3,000 tons of beef from Australia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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