Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the supply chain of broiler chicken in Indonesia

Abstract

The poultry sector in Indonesia faces complex challenges in the time of the Covid 19 pandemic. This pandemic disrupted the supply chain of broiler chickens. This study aims to identify impacts of Covid-19 on the broiler chicken supply chain. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with actors in the broiler chicken business, breeders’ associations, academics, experts, and the government. Also, secondary data was collected, including production data, demand data, and balance data. The data were analysed using the rich picture approach, supply chain analysis, and descriptive analysis. The results showed that accessibility and supply of production factors were hampered due to activity limitation policies and production control policies resulting in decreased production. Disruption in the distribution process also affects supply and demand. The decrease in demand for broiler chickens is very high. These factors might affect the fluctuation in the price of production factors and the selling price of the live birds at the farmer level. Issues due to a pandemic must be appropriately addressed and thoroughly as a mitigation effort in facing crises in the future. The right strategies need to be carried out comprehensively from the upstream, supply chain, and downstream levels. For instance, the partnership with the processing industries (or integrator), investments in the cold chain, and promotion would play an important role.