Egg Prices Plummet as Commission VI Urges Trade Ministry to Partner with National Nutrition Agency to Address Oversupply
Egg farmers in several regions are facing business threats due to plummeting egg prices at the farm level over recent weeks. This is caused by market oversupply not matching consumer demand and low purchasing power.
In response, Sarifah Suraidah Harum of the Golkar Party’s Commission VI expressed concern over the plummeting egg prices, particularly for farmers. High egg production has not been matched by sufficient market demand.
‘We are deeply concerned as this affects small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are vital to family livelihoods. The current drop in egg prices has significant impacts on farmers, and concrete steps must be taken to safeguard their businesses,’ Sarifah said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May).
She added that while retail egg supply is abundant, market absorption fails to lift prices, causing them to plummet. Earlier this month, farm-level egg prices hit a low of Rp20,400 per kilogram.
Today, prices remain between Rp22,000 and Rp22,800 per kg, well below the government’s reference purchase price of Rp26,500 per kg.
‘This is a trade issue that the Ministry of Trade must address urgently. As Kemendag’s working partner, Commission VI urges concrete steps to stabilise the egg supply chain and demand in the near term. Domestic egg production is robust enough to support national food security,’ she said.
Therefore, she urged the Ministry of Trade to swiftly establish a strategic partnership with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to optimise local egg stock absorption in support of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
In line with Golkar Party’s directive, Sarifah called for stringent and integrated regulations to safeguard the national poultry ecosystem from upstream to downstream.
‘We urge Kemendag to coordinate closely with BGN to revitalise and direct the MBG programme to prioritise local farmer stock. Protecting the national poultry sector is not just about price stability but also safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of regional farmers,’ she concluded.