The Association of Indonesian Beef Cattle Farmers (GAPUSPINDO) supports the government's decision to import feeder cattle from Australia to address the national beef shortage. Director Djoni Liano emphasizes the necessity of this policy to meet the increasing beef demand and prevent the depletion of local cattle and buffalo populations. Despite efforts to boost local cattle populations, current growth and productivity rates fall short of the projected 720,375 tons demand in 2024, resulting in a deficit of 453,000 tons or approximately 2.5 million ready-to-slaughter cattle. GAPUSPINDO warns of a potential crisis in cattle populations within four years if the government refrains from importing feeder cattle, leading to a "food trap" scenario.
To address this impending crisis, GAPUSPINDO recommends prioritizing the importation of feeder cattle with significant value addition within the country. These imported cattle should undergo a 2-3 month fattening process using local resources, contributing to various sectors such as logistics, transportation, and slaughterhouses. In line with this, GAPUSPINDO asserts that the government's recent decision to allow cattle importation aligns with the established food commodity balance for 2024. The industry, represented by GAPUSPINDO, has already received approval for cattle importation, and members are gradually processing the imports. In response to confusion expressed by the Minister of Trade regarding the import plan, GAPUSPINDO emphasizes the necessity of such imports based on established food balance regulations, criticizing the perceived misunderstanding of data and the national beef industry's business model by certain parties. The association underscores the importance of adhering to the established food balance guidelines, ensuring a stable supply of beef in the country.
