JAKARTA: Indonesian poultry prices are set to climb as the government curbs corn imports in a drive for greater self-sufficiency in food production, a policy that has already stoked concern about inflation in the price of rice, beef and other staples.
The cost of home-grown chicken has already risen around 6 percent from a year ago to nearly 60,000 rupiah ($5) per kg, according to Trade Ministry data. Overall food prices were also 6 percent higher in March than a year before, according to official data.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, in power since October, is aggressively pursuing self-sufficiency targets in various foodstuffs and curbs on imports have been blamed for sugar refinery closures as well as higher prices for food.
Southeast Asia’s biggest economy will import 3 million tonnes of corn this year compared with 3.1 million last year, Desianto Budi Utomo, secretary general of the Indonesian Feedmills Association (GPMT), told Reuters.
