Indonesian Egg Farmers Struggle Despite Self-Sufficiency

Approximately 200 layer chicken farmers from various regions, organized under the Rumah Bersama collective, have declared that Indonesia achieved national egg self-sufficiency starting in 2024. However, the farmers report that this production success is being undermined by a lack of government intervention to balance market supply and prices, as well as unexpectedly low absorption of eggs by the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis or MBG) program.

The concerns were raised during the National Meeting of Indonesian People’s Egg Farmers (Rembug Nasional Peternak Petelur Rakyat Indonesia) held in Solo, Central Java, on May 2, 2026. Farmers noted that while production continues to increase—with smallholders independently expanding land and increasing poultry populations—the lack of regulatory stabilization has turned this surplus into a financial threat.

Low Absorption in Free Meal Program

The Free Nutritious Meal program was expected to serve as a primary absorber of domestic egg production. However, representatives from the Presidium of the Indonesian People’s Poultry Association (PINSAR) Petelur Nasional claim that the actual absorption rate is significantly lower than expected, citing it as being around 1 percent.

Suwardi, an official with PINSAR Petelur Nasional, criticized reports that the low absorption is due to students becoming bored with eating eggs. He described the claim that elementary school children tire of eggs when served three to four days in a row as unreasonable and irresponsible.

Suwardi suggested that the low absorption may instead be linked to a lack of responsibility among teachers in ensuring the meals are consumed, noting that the program’s goal is to prepare children’s nutrition for the “Indonesia Emas” vision while supporting local farmers.

Economic Pressure on Smallholders

The surplus in production, combined with low demand from the MBG program and a decline in general public purchasing power, has led to a sharp drop in farm-gate prices. Yudianto Yosgiarso, a member of the PINSAR Petelur Nasional Presidium, stated that egg prices at the farm level have fallen to Rp21,000 per kilogram, down from a previous price of Rp26,500.

This price drop occurs while production costs are rising. According to Yosgiarso, the cost of feed and corn has reached between Rp6,700 and Rp7,100 per kilogram, severely eroding the profit margins for small-scale farmers.

We have brought Indonesia to egg self-sufficiency, but the government must also maintain the balance between supply and price.

Yudianto Yosgiarso, Presidium of PINSAR Petelur Nasional

The farmers argue that self-sufficiency should not be measured by production volume alone, but by food sovereignty that protects the livelihoods of smallholders rather than large investors. They are calling for concrete government policies to prevent a recurring cycle of overproduction followed by price collapses.

The current situation stands in contrast to statements made by government officials earlier in the year. In March 2026, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman claimed that the Free Nutritious Meal program had helped stabilize domestic egg prices, while Trade Minister Budi Santoso had previously stated in February 2026 that the program provided demand guarantees that motivated farmers to increase production.