Impact of imported Indian buffalo meat on red meat supply and demand in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Since 2016, the government introduced the domestic beef market to Indian buffalo meat (IBM). However, the impact of IBM on regional beef supply and demand has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to study the impact of IBM on the supply and demand of local beef in South Kalimantan (KalSel), Indonesia. Surveys were conducted with slaughterhouses, beef distributors, butchers, meatball makers, and resellers both at the supermarkets and wet markets. Secondary data were collected from Banjarmasin Quarantine Office and Livestock and Animal Health Service of Kalsel. Data indicated an increase of IBM imported into Kalsel, from 38-675 tonnes in 2017 and 2019. There was a decline of live cattle imported from inter-island, from 27,240 head in 2016 to only 12,788 head in 2019. Slaughtered cattle and beef production declined from 39,747 heads in 2016 to 31,058 heads in 2019 and 8,691 tons in 2016 to 6,791 tons in 2019. Butchers reported beef selling volume has been reduced by 50 -70% compared to 2016. This study showed IBM has had significant impacts on inter-island cattle supply, local beef production and beef demand in the wet market but has no impact on local beef price.