TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There is no end to the disarray over meat imports. After the corruption scandal over the allocation of beef import quotas a few years ago, now it is buffalo meat that is causing problems. Imports of this meat are supposed to be a substitute for the expensive beef.

Instead of establishing a trade system to ensure that beef remains affordable, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) appointed a company to distribute the imported buffalo meat from India. As a result, buffalo meat is now as expensive as beef.

Our investigations uncovered the facts surrounding the price manipulation involving Bulog and the company named Suri Nusantara Jaya. Bulog appointed Suri Nusantara Jaya as the main distributor of the buffalo meat, with a purchase price of Rp70,000. Suri subsequently resells the meat at above the maximum retail price to market traders and the meat processing industry. This leads to higher prices for consumers. Bulog provides no opportunities for traders or other companies to directly purchase buffalo meat from the agency.

This practice continued for years until the issuing of Government Regulation No. 22/2022 that allowed private companies to import meat. The agriculture ministry used the regulation to issue import recommendations for a number of companies. But before it came into force, a meeting at the coordinating ministry for the economy once again appointed Bulog as the importer.

Why are meat imports always problematic and why do state institutions squabble over them? Enjoy the magazine.

Fery Firmansyah

Junior Managing Editor

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Buffalo Meat’s Sole Distributor

After obtaining an import monopoly, Bulog appointed a company that control the distribution and the price of buffalo meat. Who is behind it?

The Meat Boss’ Business Network

Who is behind Suri Nusantara Jaya, who is calling the shots over the distribution of Bulog’s buffalo meat?

Low Supply, High Prices

The price of beef and buffalo meat continue to rise. This is a dire situation in the run up to the Ramadan fasting month and Idul Fitri holiday.

Interview with Bulog CEO Budi Waseso

What does Budi Waseso say about the allegations of a buffalo meat monopoly?

OPINION

Losing Out Again from Meat imports

How should we develop a good meat trading system?

MARKET PULSE

Emerging Boon of the Capital Influx

The trend of Indonesia’s trade surplus can persist despite the slowdown of the US and European economies

NATIONAL

Courting Khofifah

Presidential candidates are lobbying Khofifah Indar Parawansa to be their running mate in a bid to win the vote of the massive Nahdlatul Ulama members and control of East Java.

ENVIRONMENT

Partial Solution of Waste Problem

Several provinces are using refuse-derived fuel (RFD) technology as an alternative to reduce trash. Some see it as a false promise of a solution.

ASEAN & BEYOND

Floating in Uncertainty

Rohingya Muslims continue to live in dire uncertainty about what the future holds. Though desiring to return to their homeland, Myanmar poses major danger for them.

SIDELINES

Vengeance

It is right for us to oppose the death sentence, because the death sentence contains the haste to say “stop.”