Beef producers in the Greater Jakarta region have gone on strike. In response, they’ve been protesting against the skyrocketing meat prices that are bankrupting their small businesses and driving up inflation for consumers. The strike began on January 23, 2026, at 16:00 JST, as sellers voiced their frustrations over the factors contributing to the price surge.
The increasing price of beef has been blamed on a perfect storm of economic woes, such as the depreciating Indonesian rupiah. This dramatic depreciation of the currency has not only eroded household purchasing power, but raised the cost of imported goods, like beef. This year, the government has radically reduced private traders’ import quotas. In turn, supply shortages have been exacerbated and inflation has soared even higher as a result.
Due to these import restrictions, beef sellers struggle to acquire enough inventory to satisfy consumer interest. The sudden meat shortage has put an impossible bind on producers and consumers alike. Consequently, many sellers have been forced to shut down their businesses indefinitely. The purpose of the strike is to shine a light on these urgent issues and call on the government to intervene to bring these skyrocketing prices down.
The effects of the strike are rippling throughout Greater Jakarta. A majority of consumers don’t think they have good options for affordable meat. Now families who depend on beef as an affordable protein staple are paying the price. Prices are continuing to climb as the continued economic crisis impacts every industry. The sellers’ action highlights the urgent need for a solution to stabilize meat prices and ensure a steady supply for consumers.