InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Tensions have resurfaced in Indonesia’s imported beef trade as business associations lodged strong protests against the Ministry of Agriculture over the sharply reduced beef import quota for 2026.

Dozens of importer representatives visited the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services on Friday (January 9, 2026), seeking clarification over the policy.

“We are questioning why regular beef import quotas this year are limited to just 30,000 tons for more than 100 importers, compared to 180,000 tons last year,” said Marina Ratna DK, representing the Indonesian Animal Protein Entrepreneurs Association (APPHI).

The protest was also joined by representatives from the Indonesian Meat Processing and Trading Association, the Indonesian Meat Distributors Association, and the Indonesian Meat Processing Industry Association.

Transparency Concerns and Layoff Risks

ADDI Executive Director Teguh Boediyana warned that the sudden quota cut—down to just 16% of last year’s allocation—could destabilize the industry.

“With such a small quota and no prior notice, companies face serious pressure. Without supply certainty, layoffs become a real risk,” he said.

State Firms Dominate Allocations

Marina revealed that the government has set a total beef import quota of 297,000 tons for 2026, most of which has been allocated to state-owned enterprises PT Berdikari and PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia.

Private companies—108 in total—received only 30,000 tons, while 17,000 tons were reserved for industrial use.

The associations argue the policy threatens supply for the hotel, restaurant, and catering (Horeca) sector and contradicts President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to avoid restrictive quotas on essential food commodities.

Formal complaints, they said, will also be submitted to the Ministry of Trade and the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs. (T2)