Cattle Prices Soar, Butchers in Mataram Go on Strike
Slaughtering activities at the Majeluk Slaughterhouse (RPH) in Mataram City came to a halt after butchers decided to go on strike on Monday (15/6/2026). They are protesting the continuously soaring price of live cattle, which they consider increasingly burdensome for their slaughtering businesses.
“The cause is the rise in cattle prices, according to the butchers. They are complaining about the price hike. According to their version, the cause is that many cattle are being sent out of the region,” said Lalu Hapiludin, Head of Livestock at the Mataram City Agriculture Department, when confirmed.
According to Hapiludin, the butchers believe the surge in local market cattle prices is triggered by high demand from outside the region. Cattle shipping entrepreneurs are said to be buying livestock directly at traditional markets in West Nusa Tenggara, including Selong Market in East Lombok, at higher prices than those offered by local butchers.
“Perhaps the shipping entrepreneurs are bidding higher than the butchers,” he said.
Although the Monjok RPH in Majeluk is not operating due to the strike, the Mataram City Agriculture Department has confirmed that slaughtering services at other RPHs are still running normally.
“The RPH in Gubuk Mamben remains normal. It slaughters 18 head of cattle per day. Meanwhile, the Monjok RPH in Majeluk was closed today,” he revealed.
On the other hand, Hapiludin stated that regulating quotas and permits for cattle shipments is not under the authority of the Mataram City Government, but rather the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government.
As is known, Mataram City is limited to shipping only 1 male and 8 female cattle. “That is only for breeding cattle, not slaughter cattle. Meanwhile, our local consumption needs are supplied with cattle from Sumbawa,” he said.
“Regarding the butchers’ complaints, we also do not know whether the cattle being sent out of the province exceed the established quota or not. That is what we do not know. We will facilitate and coordinate with the province immediately,” he continued.