'9,600 tons of beef needed for Ramadhan'

JAKARTA (JP): The City Husbandry Agency has predicted Jakarta will need more than 9,625 tons of fresh meat, or at least 44,450 head of cattle, for the fasting month of Ramadhan and Idul Fitri festivities.

The agency head, Sumitro, said yesterday the supply of meat had been made available from Dec. 25 to Feb. 15.

"As many as 12,500 head of cattle have been provided 15 days before Ramadhan, 28,200 for during Ramadhan and 3,750 for the five days after Idul Fitri," Sumitro said.

He said the meat supply would be from ranches in 13 provinces, including Bali, East and West Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi and Lampung.

"There will be no problem with supply of meat, despite the increasing demand. There is no need to worry," Sumitro said.

The agency anticipates increased demand for meat before national festivities like Idul Fitri, eliminating problems, he said.

"The agency has also imported frozen meat in addition to local supply. This is the policy of the central government in its efforts to control the price of meat and cattle population. The total amount of imported meats will be 3,505 tons," he said.

According to Sumitro, imported meat would not dominate meat supply in the city, as people living in Jakarta prefer fresh meat to frozen produce. Furthermore, demand for frozen meat was only 30 tons per day for factories, restaurants and hotels, not individuals.

The agency last year projected the need for 40,610 tons of meat for the fasting month and Idul Fitri. However, it recorded that the 40,610 tons of meat met the public's needs for five days after Idul Fitri. This meant the supply was adequate.

Sumitro said there would also be 19.7 million live chickens, 2,988 tons of chicken meat and 20,000 tons of eggs available. (ste/02)