... price of beef jumped up to Rp130,000 perkilogram, far higher than the previous level of Rp90,000 per kilogram...
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has pledged to solve problems related to the availability of beef to ensure its smooth supply in the country.

"We will study them to find out where the problems originate. If it is about the supply chain, we will streamline it. But first, we have to find out the real cause behind the problems," he noted here on Monday.

The depleting stocks of beef in several regions have caused the prices to soar as a result of which consumers have stopped buying the product, and the traders then went on a strike that day demanding the prices to be brought back to normal.

The price of beef jumped up to Rp130,000 perkilogram, far higher than the previous level of Rp90,000 per kilogram. This phenomenon is a little bit weird due to passing of Ramadhan and Eid Fitr that frequently doubled meat demand.

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman claimed that the beef stocks were adequate to meet the consumption needs for four months.

"We have conducted on-field checks and held a discussion with the breeders. It was found that the stock was still available, and according to our calculations, it is still sufficient for the next four months," he claimed.

Sulaiman admitted that the price had soared, but he hoped the police would act firmly in connection with any indications of violations of food distribution regulations.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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