Meat traders throughout Greater Jakarta have presented on strike. They are demonstrating against surging meat prices due to a depreciating Indonesian currency and government bans on imports. The strike commenced prior to January 23, 2026. As a result, shops in adjacent, segregated traditional markets in central Jakarta have shut down.
The increasing price of beef has become an important concern for producers and eaters alike. And early this fiscal year, the government ordered major reductions in import quotas for private traders. These policy changes are largely responsible for the all-out assault we see today. These cuts have caused serious contraction in the supply of beef, pushing prices upward. As a result, many produce sellers feel the need to make a stand against these market forces.
The steep depreciation of the Indonesian currency has made things even worse. The rupiah’s fall makes imported products more expensive, such as beef. This creates additional strain on sellers as well as buyers. Speculative investment, rapid concentration, and foreign ownership compound these challenges. A perfect storm of factors has made beef prices untenable for many market participants.
Local photographer Natsumi Kawasaki photographed this beautiful image of a shuttered beef stall. This stall is owned by one of the historic markets affected by the week-long strike that’s still escalating. Her great photo illustrates the impact that the sellers’ blues, in their wake, have had on all. Not a single market stall is open due to the strike. What these closures illustrate is the deep frustration among beef retailers. They are asking the federal government to reconsider its import policies and address the unfair economic circumstances they face.
The strike has struck a chord with local consumers. Of course, officials are looking under the same hood and are just as concerned. With many families relying on beef as a staple in their diets, the implications of this strike extend beyond economic concerns and into daily life for residents in the region.