DENPASAR — The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Young Farmers Association (DPD PTI Bali) and the Indonesian Pig Farmers Association (GUPBI) have firmly rejected the import of pork into Bali and Indonesia, arguing that it is driving down prices and harming local farmers.
The stance was conveyed during a meeting between PTI Bali and GUPBI National leaders held in Bali on Thursday (April 9, 2026). The meeting was attended by PTI Bali Chairman Komang Tangkas, PTI Bali Secretary General Surya Pradipta, and GUPBI National Chairman I Ketut Hari Suyasa.
Komang Tangkas emphasized that PTI Bali fully supports efforts to halt pork imports, which he said have directly contributed to falling prices at the farm level.
“Pig prices have dropped significantly, causing losses for farmers. One of the main triggers is the influx of imported products that make domestic prices uncompetitive,” he said.
Over the past year, live pig prices in Bali and other production centers have fluctuated sharply. Prices that once ranged between IDR 60,000 and IDR 70,000 per kilogram fell to below IDR 40,000 per kilogram at certain periods—below the cost of production.
GUPBI Chairman I Ketut Hari Suyasa stated that the situation has resulted in substantial losses, particularly for small-scale farmers. He noted that the average production cost stands at around IDR 40,000 per kilogram, while market prices have dropped to as low as IDR 35,000 per kilogram.
“This means farmers are losing about IDR 5,000 per kilogram. Per pig, that can translate to losses of around IDR 500,000. With daily production reaching approximately 12,000 pigs, the total losses are significant,” he explained.
He added that pork imports have worsened an already oversupplied domestic market, further suppressing prices. For this reason, GUPBI has consistently urged the government to stop imports in order to protect local producers.
Beyond imports, distribution challenges also remain a key issue. Although existing regulations allow Bali to supply pigs to other regions, in practice, shipments are often constrained.
As a result, excess supply accumulates in the local market, limiting absorption and pushing prices down further.
“When distribution is restricted while supply continues to grow, prices inevitably fall. This is what is hurting our farmers the most,” he added.
PTI Bali is calling on the government to take concrete action, including halting imports and improving inter-regional distribution systems.
Komang Tangkas also stressed the need for policies that protect smallholder farmers, including a review of large-scale investment in pig farming. According to him, Bali’s main issue is not production capacity, but market absorption.
“If large investments continue to focus on production without expanding the market, it will further pressure small farmers,” he said.
At the same time, disease threats such as African Swine Fever (ASF) remain a concern. Farmers are urging stronger government support, including continuous education and vaccine distribution.
The central government has reportedly allocated around IDR 25 billion for ASF vaccines, which are expected to be distributed free of charge to farmers.
More broadly, the pig farming sector plays a strategic role in the local economy, supporting a wide range of livelihoods—from farmers and transport workers to veterinarians and culinary businesses.
In Bali, traditional dishes such as roast pork, satay, and lawar highlight the sector’s cultural and economic importance.
Amid these challenges, PTI Bali and GUPBI reaffirmed the need for firm policies to halt pork imports and strengthen the domestic market, in order to ensure the sustainability of local farming and support national food resilience.***
