REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - State owned logistic firm, Bulog, began to distribute imported frozen beef from Australia to traditional market in Jakarta. However, the traders and butchers refused to sell the meat due to its quality.

Aje, a butcher at Senen market, West Java decided not to buy meat imports worth 77 thousand IDR per kilogram (kg) on Thursday morning because of the thick fat. Uus, another butcher at Bogor market in West Java said he prefer bought local meat.

"Not many buyers are interested to buy frozen meat. Majority of restaurant managers as my customers complained that the fresh meat has different taste with frozen meat," Uus said on Friday.

Today beef prices have reached around 100 thousand IDR per kg in traditional markets. Government has decided to bring in 3,000 tons of beef cattle from Australia. 

The imported meat was allocated by Bulog to meet needs in greater Jakarta and West Java. Government planned to increase import quotas by the end of this month.

Chairman of Indonesian Association of Meat Wholesalers (APDI), M Nurdin said he hadn't received notification from Bulog about distribution of the imported meat. 

Head of Bulog, Sutarto Alimoeso said he would hold all associations to discuss the distribution of imported meat. 

"There are some rejections but, that's because frozen meat is considered bad, such as less palatable. Therefore, Bulog intensify socialization to repair that misunderstanding. We will solve all problems that are occured in the field, so the beef price can lower to 75 thousand IDR," Alimoeso said.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Hatta Rajasa asked traders not to be influenced by issues to reject imported beef. Beef prices have reached 100 thousand IDR per kg in traditional market. 

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