A week prior to the start of Ramadan, the Trade Ministry issued Bulog a license to import 1,000 tons of beef. This "secondary cut" beef is reserved to stabilize prices during Bulog's distribution throughout the fasting month and up to the Lebaran holiday.

But according to the Indonesian Meat Importers Association (ASPIDI) chairman, Thomas Sembiring, the license had come too late. After decades of involvement in the sector, he says at least 17 days