The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has suspended lamb meat and carcass imports to safeguard local farmers from unfair pricing competition. This strategic move aims to sustain small-scale farming operations amid the surge of cheap imported meat. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the policy’s purpose to stabilize local farmers' businesses during a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday, 30 November. As part of the policy, Kementan convened with the Indonesian Sheep and Goat Farmers Association (HPDKI) on 18 November 2024 to gather input and organized a National Consensus in Boyolali three days later to address farmers' concerns. Additionally, surprise inspections were conducted on 24 November across 13 importers' warehouses to ensure compliance with regulations.
On 26 November, Kementan required importers to sign notarized declarations committing to regular stock reporting, prohibiting distribution to MSMEs such as restaurants or small vendors, and aligning import practices with national recommendations. Minister Amran reaffirmed that the ministry is prioritizing the sustainability of small-scale farming, describing local farmers as the backbone of Indonesia's livestock industry. Beyond domestic policy adjustments, Kementan is expediting regulatory harmonization for sheep and goat exports to Malaysia and Brunei to open international markets and absorb domestic production surpluses. The government is confident that this measure will balance domestic market needs, reduce import dependency, and bolster the competitiveness of Indonesia's livestock sector.
