Day-old chick prices cut

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Poultry Entrepreneurs lowered yesterday the prices of day-old chicks (DOCs) to between Rp 225 and Rp 250 each, down from about Rp 700.

"We decided to slash the prices of DOCs to help the poultry farmers make a profit," said Budiardjo Tek, the association's vice chairman.

He said that, with the price of live chickens decreasing from Rp 3,000 per kilogram in August to Rp 2,000 per kg at present, it has been difficult for poultry farmers to make a profit.

The association also indicated, however, that there has been an oversupply of DOCs of between 10 to 15 percent above the national demand, which averages 10 million per week. (01)