Indonesia to import livestock for Ramadan.

In anticipation of the upcoming Ramadan, Indonesia is set to import live animals from Australia to meet the heightened demand for meat during the holy month. The initiative will be carried out through Perumda Dharma Jaya, a regional government-owned food company, which plans to bring in 7,500 live animals to ensure stable food supply and maintain market prices.

Raditya Andra Budiman, the Managing Director of Dharma Jaya, stated that the import plan is currently awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Trade. “Although we have received recommendations for importation, the administrative procedures at the ministry are still ongoing. We hope to secure approval by the end of January. Once granted, we can immediately commence procurement,” he explained.

The import permit for live livestock must be renewed annually, as approvals from the previous year do not carry over. Budiman noted that, if the approval process follows the schedule, purchases could begin in February, with the animals expected to arrive within two to three weeks after the transactions are completed.

To align with current storage capacity, the livestock will be imported in stages. Dharma Jaya’s facilities in Serang, Banten Province, currently accommodate approximately 1,300 animals. In the initial phase, around 750 of the planned 7,500 animals will be imported.

Increased demand is being driven not only from Jakarta but also from Bogor, Banten, and other regions of West Java. Local traders have expressed a preference for imported livestock, citing superior genetic quality and overall standards compared with domestic animals. Budiman added, “The demand for imported animals comes directly from traders. We coordinate supply based on market requirements to ensure smooth distribution.”

Overview of Planned Live Animal Imports by Dharma Jaya

This import initiative reflects Indonesia’s strategic effort to stabilise meat prices and secure food supply during Ramadan, addressing both consumer needs and trader demands while ensuring a steady flow of high-quality livestock across key urban and regional markets.