Food Coordinating Minister: Government raises live cattle reference purchase price and buffalo meat retail price cap

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is adjusting the reference purchase price (HAP) at the producer level for live cattle commodities to respond to global dynamics affecting food import and distribution costs. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that the adjustment is being made on a limited basis to maintain price stability at the consumer level. “The reference purchase price for live cattle is rising from Rp58,000 per kilogram (kg) to around Rp59,000 per kg, so the adjustment is only about Rp1,000 per kg,” said Zulhas after a limited coordination meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. He emphasised that beef prices in the market remain within the highest retail price (HET) range, namely around Rp130,000 to Rp140,000 per kg. Zulhas explained that the price adjustment is inseparable from the impact of global geopolitical conditions affecting transportation costs and food supply chains. “Even though it’s far away, geopolitics affects transportation, so some imported foods are making adjustments,” he revealed. In addition to live cattle, the government is also adjusting the HET for buffalo meat in line with increasing public demand. He explained that the rise in beef prices could potentially drive some consumers to switch to more affordable alternatives like buffalo meat. According to him, the price adjustment is being carried out carefully to maintain people’s purchasing power while ensuring that food supplies remain stable. The government considers this step important for maintaining a balance between price stability and supply sustainability amid global market dynamics.