Trade Minister Says Egg and Chicken Meat Prices Are in Ideal Condition, Here's Why

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Trade Minister Budi Santoso assesses that the price movements of eggs and chicken meat are beginning to show a healthy condition. Consumer-level prices are moving closer to the Highest Retail Price (HET), ensuring that the interests of both farmers and the public can be maintained.

According to him, the HET is not merely a price ceiling for consumers, but a balance point between farmers’ production costs and the public’s purchasing power. Therefore, prices that are too low could potentially jeopardise the sustainability of farmers’ businesses.

“Now, eggs and chicken meat are starting to approach the HET, although still slightly below it. This is necessary. Why? Because the highest retail price is the meeting point between producers, the farmers, and consumers,” Budi said at the Parliament Building on Tuesday (21/7/2026).

The government is also continuously monitoring the distribution of food commodities between regions to ensure supply remains evenly spread. This measure is taken to avoid an oversupply in one area and a shortage in another, which could trigger price fluctuations.

“So, approaching the HET is actually good, because if the price falls far below the HET, it means farmers are being disadvantaged. If farmers are disadvantaged and then cannot produce, it will lead to a scarcity of goods,” Budi stated.

Price equilibrium is an important factor in keeping the food supply chain running. Under these conditions, producers can still earn a reasonable profit while the public is not burdened with excessively high prices.

“When it approaches the HET, it has been agreed that producers can keep operating, but consumers are also not disadvantaged because we have already calculated the production costs,” Budi said.

Some time ago, egg prices had plummeted, causing an outcry among farmers. With prices now creeping upwards, a price balance between consumers and producers is beginning to occur.

“So, by moving up towards the HET, this is actually the ideal price so that everything runs well,” Budi concluded.