Imported Food and Beverages Scarcity

[milan]

Although it tells the situation in Jakarta, surely Bali is having the same impact if not more.

Spirits drying up in Jakarta cafes, hotels

The capital's food and beverage retail industry is struggling with a shortage in imported products, before an anticipated increase in demand for the goods during the year-end holidays.

Laura, the marketing executive of VIN+ wine shop in Kemang, South Jakarta, said liquor such as whiskey was in short supply, but the shop still had enough wine to meet demand until the new year.

"Wine prices are relatively high because it fluctuates with the U.S. dollar," Laura said recently.

Public relations officer of Nikko Hotel, Niki Ramadanu, also reported a scarcity in stock.

"We have had no problem in getting imported food, but the scarcity of liquor has continued for a couple months. It has been challenging finding a few certain brands," Niki said.

"But we have prepared enough stock of other liquor brands for this New Year's eve."

Some imported-food stores, like Kem Chicks and Ranch Market, on Saturday said they were also suffering from a scarcity of certain food and beverage products.

Rudy Sumampouw, secretary general of the Indonesian retailers association (Aprindo), confirmed the scarcity in imported food and beverages.

"Demand for liquor and imported food is likely to increase toward the end of the year, especially in tourist destinations such as Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta," Rudy said.

He said the government's ruling to watch over the circulation of illegal imported goods had caused scarcity of the goods among retailers.

The prices for imported beverages have soared since October this year, with demand outweighing supply considerably.

Restaurants, hotels and imported-food stores even have increased their prices of imported goods because the suppliers are charging higher rates due to the U.S. dollar rate, he said.

Many restaurants or hotels, however, prepared for the scarcity by purchasing food and beverages three months prior to the year-end holidays, Rudy said.

Indonesian food and beverage retailers have experienced a tough time over the past few months, following the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency's (BPOM) ongoing raids for imported food products.

The retailers have called for simplified and more concise requirements for registering imported products.

The spat over the regulations has lasted several years with no clear solution in sight.

Many of the products targeted by the BPOM had already passed food safety tests in their country of origin, but were not yet registered in Indonesia.

Consumers, especially expatriates, are also facing the impact of the scarcity.

Sachin Gopalan, an Indian national, said it was very difficult to buy imported food.

"So, we either stock up or get someone to bring it from Malaysia or Singapore," Sachin told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

He said there were a number of food items from home that helped ease his homesickness when overseas.

"It's already part of our lifestyle. When it is not available, we feel further from home," he said.

"It's like Indonesians not being able to buy instant noodles and sambal (chili sauces). Sure you can live without it, but why should you be deprived of them?"

[SG]

There is no Bintang at Makro today either..well about 30 bottles and I'm told there are problems with the supply of that Indonesian delicacy.

[lumumba]

As SG said 3/4 lines down under "liquor shortage!!"

Means our friendly alcohol importers have been grossly profiteering for years at the expense of the tourist. A bottle of wine that wholesales In Australia for about AUD$7 (Rp 60k approx) can hit the shelves in Indonesia for Rp300.000 plus and into many restaurants at Rp400.000 plus. I'm thinking that it's high time the system was cleaned out.

For drinks, don't know about food :roll:

[akucintabali]

I recall being told a few years back by an expat in Bali that the Soeharto family have a monopoly on wine importation in Bali so they're able to charge extortionate prices! I hope the price of wine comes down in Bali, or cask wine/goon bags become available for a cheap price. I'm unforutnately am a sucker for drinking goon on a warm sunny sunday.

[Roy]

You can always give Hatten wines a try. They’ve improved considerably in recent years…and no import taxes.

[SG]

You can always give Hatten wines a try. They’ve improved considerably in recent years…and no import taxes.

Only the Two Islands..the rest of their stuff is like a headache in waiting. Not good.

[mimpimanis]

I drink Hatten Alexndria and never a headache. In the last month though the price has jumped from Rp66,000 to Rp86,000.

[Roy]

I do agree with you though Simon about your comments on another string relating to Bali Hi, Anker and Bintang! Bali Hi and Anker are GREAT for the pigs, but Bintang is best for us orang. :P

[SG]

I drink Hatten Alexndria and never a headache. In the last month though the price has jumped from Rp66,000 to Rp86,000.

We have a friend who works for the company and boy are they smiling right now. I agree there is much worse, but I have to admit to being a wine snob of sorts and I love my NZ Pinot Gris and Savs...all in short supply here. Thank god for visitors.

Sadly, even in the good times, Bali is not one of the world's great wine centres. Even the upmarket places have wine lists full of wines that most half decent restaurants in Australasia, Singapore or the US would flinch at offering...like the AUD$7 bottles of Jacobs Creek paint stripper that sell for Rp300.000 in restaurants.

[akucintabali]

i went to rumours earlier this year and had their house wine. i remember it was only about $4 AU per glass and it wasnt too bad, i think it was from italy.