Beef Prices Reach Rp180,000 per Kg, Purchasing Power Weakens

Beef prices in several traditional markets in West Jakarta remain at high levels even though the Idul Fitri holiday has passed. At Tomang Barat Market in Grogol Petamburan, the price of this animal protein commodity is now set in the range of Rp160,000 to Rp180,000 per kilogram.

Traders have complained about the situation because prices have shown no signs of returning to normal levels. Ari, a beef trader at the market, said the upward price trend had been felt since the start of Ramadan and has persisted until now.

“Normally the price is from Rp140,000, at most up to Rp160,000. That is the usual range,” Ari said when met in Jakarta on Tuesday (19/8).

The high price of beef has had a direct impact on sales volumes. Ari noted that public purchasing power is currently experiencing a significant weakening. Large purchases that consumers used to make regularly have now fallen sharply.

The decline in turnover has been exacerbated by simultaneous increases in the prices of various other staple goods. This has forced consumers to be more selective in managing household spending.

In response to the situation, people have tended to change their shopping patterns. According to traders’ observations, consumers now prefer to reduce the quantity of their purchases or switch to more affordable cuts of meat in order to cut costs.

“Sales have definitely dropped sharply. Moreover, other goods have also gone up. Purchasing power is really very weak at the moment,” Ari added.

Traders hope the government can intervene soon to normalise the supply of cattle to the market. A smooth supply is considered the key to making meat prices affordable again, so that trading activity in traditional markets can recover.