Egg Prices Plummet, East Java Provincial Government Designates Local Farmers as Primary Suppliers for Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Amidst the collapse of egg prices in several regions of East Java, the East Java Provincial Government has taken a bold step by partnering with dozens of associations and poultry cooperatives across the province to serve as the primary suppliers of eggs for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in East Java.

The Deputy Governor of East Java, Emil Elestianto Dardak, convened all associations and farmers at the East Java Livestock Service in Surabaya. During the meeting, they signed an agreement to designate egg suppliers as a key component of the MBG programme.

“This is our response to the decline in egg prices in East Java. We have engaged with all associations and farmers to find a solution,” said Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak in Surabaya on Saturday.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the East Java Provincial Government and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) have formulated three strategies to respond to the plummeting prices of layer eggs, which have caused losses for thousands of farmers in East Java.

First, the use of egg-based menus in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme will be set at a minimum of three times per week. This measure is intended to accelerate the absorption of the surplus of eggs in East Java that caused the price drop. The BGN has agreed to this requirement.

Second, poultry associations and cooperatives in East Java will provide the egg supply and deliver it to the Kitchen Partner locations of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) in East Java, adhering to agreed quality standards.

Third, egg transactions will be conducted directly with associations or cooperatives at a minimum price of Rp24,000 per kilogram. “This price will be increased gradually in accordance with the government’s reference price,” explained Emil.

At the farm level, egg prices currently range between Rp20,000 and Rp20,500 per kilogram. However, at the consumer level, prices can reach between Rp27,500 and Rp30,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, at the SPPG level, eggs are currently purchased from suppliers at Rp25,000 per kilogram. “Therefore, we are encouraging SPPGs to purchase directly from farmers or cooperatives,” said Emil.

This approach serves as a solution to ensure that eggs from farmers are absorbed at a fair price. “This is part of the government’s intervention to ensure they remain viable,” he added.