Traders Strike Due to High Beef Prices, Driven by Rising Feed Costs

The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, has revealed the underlying causes of high beef prices. He cited several factors triggering the price surge, including a reduction in the circulating supply of beef compared to normal conditions and the rising cost of animal feed.

“The supply of beef is currently not as high as usual,” he told reporters on Monday (18/5/2026).

He noted that the situation arose because market traders are unwilling to accept carcasses from slaughterhouses at high prices. Meanwhile, slaughterhouses are forced to accept cattle at elevated costs.

“For those in the cattle fattening business, prices have also risen significantly,” he added.

He explained that the increase in cattle prices is due to the rising cost of imported livestock breeds from Australia, India, and New Zealand, alongside an increase in the price of livestock feed. This has created a chain reaction, making it too difficult for traders to sell beef at the prices requested by suppliers in Bandung.

He mentioned that only a portion of fresh beef in Bandung originates from local markets in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Central Java, and East Java. Meanwhile, cattle fattening entrepreneurs have ensured that livestock for upcoming religious sacrifices will be sufficiently available.

The local government intends to approach importers, cattle fattening entrepreneurs, slaughterhouses, and market traders to address the issue. Additionally, the administration will utilise frozen meat import channels, which will be opened to meet market needs through modern supermarkets.