Traders complain over beef price rise

JAKARTA: Traders have complained about an approximately 23 percent increase in the price of beef, from Rp 32,500 (US$3.25) to Rp 40,000 per kilogram, during the last few days, while demand for the meat was expected to rise during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

The meat traders, who met Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea P. Lumbun when he inspected the Senen market on Friday, said that they feared suppliers might have stockpiled beef to reduce market supply and hence force the price to rise.

Hosea also went to the market to ensure that the beef supply was increased. "We'll make sure that the market can meet the public need for meat," he was quoted by BeritaJakarta.com as saying.

He said the price increase was not due to suppliers hoarding beef, but because of increased market demand during Ramadhan.

"The price rise is OK as long as it is fair," he said.--JP