Government stabilises beef prices at distributor level following increase
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the Ministry of Agriculture have stabilised beef prices at the distributor level in South Tangerang, Banten, following a unilateral price increase that pushed carcass beef prices to approximately Rp110,000 per kilogram.
I Gusti Ketut Astawa, Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilisation at Bapanas, stated that the agency moved swiftly to address the price increase. The distributor, which is a partner of the Sinar Mulya Tengki Slaughterhouse (RPH) in South Tangerang, has confirmed it has reduced prices to a maximum of Rp107,000 per kilogram until Eid al-Fitr 2026.
Astawa emphasised that no food sector business operators are permitted to raise prices during Ramadan through Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE.
Under a circular issued by the Directorate General of Livestock Production at the Ministry of Agriculture (No 27067/PK.330/F/01/2026 dated 27 January 2026), maximum prices for imported live cattle ready for slaughter are set at Rp55,000 per kilogram of live weight at feedlot level, and Rp56,000 per kilogram of live weight at slaughterhouse level. These prices remain in effect until the National Religious Holiday of Eid al-Fitr in 2026.
A subsequent circular (No 09043/PK.330/F/02/2026 dated 9 February 2026) guarantees that the price of cattle ready for slaughter at slaughterhouses shall not exceed Rp56,000 per kilogram of live weight, with carcass prices capped at Rp107,000 per kilogram.
Beyond price monitoring at each market level, the government continues to stabilise beef prices in conjunction with state-owned food enterprises. PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI) and PT Berdikari have committed to intensifying market operations ahead of Eid al-Fitr to ensure the public has access to affordable beef and buffalo meat.
Ibnu Abbas, manager of the Sinar Mulya Tengki Slaughterhouse, acknowledged that the organisation has issued warnings to the distributor partner that raised prices unilaterally. He confirmed that beef prices at the distributor level have been restored in accordance with government directives. The distributor CV Keysya has been instructed to reduce prices to Rp107,000 per kilogram (in carcass form) by 11 March, and the slaughterhouse will conduct maximum monitoring until Eid al-Fitr.
The government has warned of strict enforcement action should price anomalies occur. If cattle producers, particularly feedloters, raise prices for live cattle, their licences will be revoked and they will be barred from importing. Officials have also committed to a thorough investigation to identify which middlemen or intermediaries are responsible for price anomalies in the beef market.
Bapanas projects consumer demand for beef and buffalo at approximately 65,800 tonnes. To meet this, the government ensures sufficient national supply. National beef and buffalo availability is projected at 226,000 tonnes through March, ensuring safety and adequacy.