Egg Production Surges, Farmers Face Selling Price Pressure

Egg farmers in Indonesia are grappling with falling prices as the market experiences an oversupply of eggs. The situation has put significant pressure on their livelihoods, prompting government intervention to stabilize the sector.

To address the price decline, the Indonesian government is taking several steps. A key measure is enforcing the reference purchase price (HAP) for eggs at the farm level, set at Rp26,500 per kilogram. This aims to ensure farmers receive a minimum viable price for their produce.

Furthermore, the government is working to manage the cost of feed, a major expense for poultry farmers. This involves distributing corn through the Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan (SPHP) program, designed to maintain stable prices for animal feed. By controlling feed costs, the government hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden on farmers.

In addition to stabilizing prices and feed costs, the government is also boosting demand for eggs. This is being achieved through an increased absorption of eggs via the Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), or Free Nutritious Meal Program. The frequency of egg distribution within this program has been raised to three times a week, creating a larger market for the surplus production and supporting both farmers and the nutritional needs of program participants.