Indonesia to Import Beef From Brazil, Uruguay

Indonesia to import beef from Brazil, Uruguay

JAKARTA, April 7 (Xinhua) — Indonesia plans to import beef from Brazil and Uruguay in order to meet domestic demands amid soaring domestic meat prices, local press said Monday.

The two countries will join Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada as Indonesia’s main beef meat suppliers.

While import plan from Uruguay is proceeding smoothly, Indonesia must first send a team to verify if Brazil is fully free from lethal, infectious cow diseases, major national newspaper Kompas reported, quoting a senior official with the Agriculture Ministry.

“The team who will conduct a feasibility study on beef import from Brazil will depart later this month. Hopefully, by the end of April, they will come up with a recommendation,” said Turni Rusli, director of veterinary.

According to the ministry, Domestic beef production stood at 344,800 tons last year, while consumption reached 396,600 tons. The country last year imported 64,100 tons of beef.

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