Holy Cow and Chicken Fright

Stopping at the local supermarket nearby, I held my breath to see the meat prices! After the unfinished business of the skyrocketing beef prices, the poultry especially chicken meat follows suit within a few days. One whole chicken had a price tag of Rp. 42,000 tonight. I rolled my eyes in disbelief. This was definitely the highest price I have ever experienced so far. I left the groceries with only tomatoes and carrots! Gee, I think I might considering switch my mode into a herbivore. Being an eternal Tempeh and tofu lover prove to be an advantage for this mode switch!

So here's the conclusion of tonight's ramble in the market: omnivores like myself may want to consider the financial advantages of becoming vegetarians, especially since meat prices are skyrocketing!

First, out of the blue, the issue of imported beef reduction measure, as part of import curbs for food self-sufficiency plan, pushed up the price of beef. Combined with the allegedly insufficient domestic cattle supplies, the policy seemed always result in lower supply and surging prices. Related to this brouhaha, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) is still investigating the possibility of a cartel being involved in the drop in beef supplies and the increase in its price.

Immediately, the beef scarcity compelled chicken lovers to pay higher prices to get their meat as well. As always some people are just love to fish in trouble waters! Taking the chaotic cattle and poultry management to accumulate profits with any means necessary. Increasing demand (combined with decreasing supplies) soon resulted in much higher prices for your favorite fowl. There’s companies perfectly poised to profit from the situation, to recoup the extra money!

What’s especially alarming for us is inflation rate is tame, but meat lovers see a different picture – prices for steaks and chops are soaring, just in time after the peak season for their demand, the Idul Fitri,  has just been over. Beef prices have continued on their upward trajectory through the early part of the year, a period that is traditionally a lull in the market in between two peak demand times, the Idul Fitri  and Idul Adha season. Analysts expect that it will be several years before Indonesia's cattle herds and poultry increase substantially in size provided there's a consistent and synchronized mixed of policies in related departments responsible to manage this issue for food self-sufficiency ideal: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, etc. Until then, we should get used to the idea that meat prices will keep soaring.  

Prices of volatile food apparently make ordinary living of housewives a hellish battle. They have to juggle in getting their kitchen works with the same amount of money they receive from their husband. Super mothers juggling with ingredients in the kitchen to make economic decisions similarly to men.

For housewife like myself, this moment is perfect timing to serve local dishes on my platter to save money. Indonesia has abundance of local food that are affordable and rich of nutrients. My favorites are Tempeh and Tofu which are right away replace meat in my household. Tempeh and Tofu are readily accessible in any market. What’s more, I was surprised to learn that tempeh has almost as much protein as fish, chicken, or beef. It’s healthier also because unlike animal-based proteins, tempeh does not have any cholesterol. If you have ever tried tempeh, you have probably noticed that it has a firm, almost mushroomy texture and a slightly earthy taste that sends immediately your taste buds to scream for more.

Campaigning to love Indonesia food perhaps might be one of the feasible ways to outsmart the soaring prices for meat. They are affordable and contains of natural proteins provided Indonesia does not rely on imported soya beans (the main ingredient of tempeh and Tahu) from overseas.

A grand plan for the world's fourth most populous nation to become self-sufficient in key food commodities is indeed vital. However, strategy to achieve this long term goal should be carefully formulated especially in regards on the import curbs which should be aligned with consistent and thorough trade regulations. In the meantime, I should switch to become a herbivore!