(Bogor, Kompas) - During the month of ramadan, consumer demand for broiler chickens increased by 20-40 percent. To meet the public demand, 100 million chickens are prepared.
With the increasing demand and distribution issues, the price of chickens in the retail market was increasing for about 15 percent.
August 2009 chicken price in the traditional markets raised Rp 1,000 to Rp 2,000 per kilogram, comparably to the prior months. Currently the price of chicken in the traditional market reaches Rp 23.000-Rp 24,000 per kilogram.
Price increase also occurs in chicken eggs. In July 2009, the price of eggs is Rp 14,700 per kilogram. And now have reached Rp 15,500 per kilogram.
Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu is certain, that the price increase is not due to a lack of stock, but because of increased demand and distribution issues.
After reviewing the chicken slaughterhouse owned by PT Sierad Produce Tbk in Parung, Bogor, Wednesday (2 / 9), Mari emphasized that chicken prices in the retail market is still within reasonable limits.
"During the fasting period, prices are considered to remain within reasonable increase. Usually after Lebaran chicken prices would down again, "said Mari.
For the distribution pattern, Mari continued, Department of Commerce has been coordinating with the Department of Transportation.
"So far there have been no significant problems in the distribution system. Until three days before Lebaran, the distributions of basic needs were prioritized, "said Minister of Trade.
Vice President Director of PT Sierad Produce Tbk Eko Putro Sandjojo stated that chicken price increase is not only happening in the retail market, but it has also happened on the farmer level. Prices in the breeder-level have reached Rp 12,800 per kilogram. Estimated, the farmer-level chicken price will still rise before Lebaran up to Rp 14,700 per kilogram.
"In 2008 alone, the farmer-level chicken price is at Rp 15,600 per kilogram. The increase was still reasonable because the feed prices are so high that increase the cost of chicken Rp. 12,000" said Eko.
Additional Stock
Chairman of the Market Information Center (Pinsar) Poultry Hartono explained, before Lebaran, the national supply was prepared around 100 million chickens. The supply of chicken eggs is prepared 90,000 tons.
"We are also preparing for additional stock of chicken within 12 hours. So people shall not need to worry, " said Hartono.
Director of PT Sierad Produce Sudirman said, its production capacity to 100,000 chickens per day. The high price of living chicken led to the realization of the current chicken slaughter reached only by 60 percent of production capacity.
According to the Chairman of the Poultry Company Association of Indonesia (Gappi) Anton Supit, Indonesian chicken consumption is still relatively low, is about 4.8 kilograms per capita per year. The consumption of chicken in Malaysia, 38.5 kilograms per capita per year. (OSA)