January 8, 2026 | 05:58 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ultra-high temperature (UHT) and evaporated milk are reported to be scarce in the market. A mother in Tangerang, Banten, identified as Putri, complained about the difficulty of finding milk over the past three days.
"It's really hard to find milk. Evaporated milk is also very hard to find. From one market to another, several kilometers of walking to search, still couldn't find any. The sellers said it's out of stock," Putri said when contacted on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Putri seeks milk for her business needs. She runs a milk jelly drink business from her home. She suspects the scarcity in the market is due to supply being diverted to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. "Looks like it's because of the MBG," she said.
Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Body, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, responded to public complaints regarding the milk scarcity. Nanik explained that milk is the primary product required for the MBG.
"The demand is certainly high," she said after a press conference on "1 Year of the MBG Program and the Inaugural Operation of the MBG Program in 2026" at State Vocational High School 1 Jakarta, Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Nanik ensured that the national supply of milk would be available in the future. She revealed the government is currently strengthening production. "We are in the process of building [milk factories]. The government is currently establishing 500 dairy farms," she said.
Previously, the National Nutrition Body (BGN) launched the Red and White Cows Program under the Ministry of National Development Planning to support the availability of quality milk for the MBG.
BGN Chief Secretary, Sarwono, in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, stated that the availability of quality meat and milk is a pillar to ensure nutritional sufficiency, especially for children benefiting from the MBG.
"The launch of the Red and White Cows is a strategic step to meet the protein needs of society. The availability of quality meat and milk will be the main pillar of the MBG program. We want to ensure that children receive sufficient nutrition to support their growth as well as strengthen national food self-sufficiency," said Sarwono.
According to him, the program is a strategic step in realizing national food self-sufficiency targets, as mandated in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025 concerning the National Medium-Term Development Plan 2025-2029.
Read: BGN Clarifies "Zero Incident" Target for Free Nutritious Meal Program
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Students' Basil Milk Wins Top Honors in Seoul
22 hari lalu
Unpad students' participation started with the submission of their work proposal to Indonesian Invention and Innovation Promotion Association in 2025.
Recognizing Cow's Milk Allergy in Kids - Symptoms and Dangers, According to a Doctor
21 Oktober 2025
Cow's milk allergy in children has become a significant health issue because its symptoms often mimic other mild conditions, making it difficult to re
Indonesia's BGN Explains Why Milk in Free Meal Program Isn't Yet 100% Local
14 Oktober 2025
BGN said the milk used in Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is not yet fully locally sourced, citing scientific and long-term strategic reasons.
List of Foods to Avoid When Consuming Spinach
26 Agustus 2025
Here are the types of foods that should not be consumed together with spinach.
Does Milk Help You Gain Weight?
16 Juli 2025
Milk, especially the full-fat variety, can provide extra calories that are useful for healthy weight gain.
The Reason Behind the Exemption of Live Cattle Import Quota
29 Juni 2025
Minister Sudaryono unveils revelation on the unlimited quota of live cattle imports and the arrival of 200,000 dairy cattle imports by the end of 2025
How Milk Contributes to Healthy Child Development
4 Juni 2025
Milk is also the easiest food to digest and has very high quality protein.
Domestic Milk Production Only Meets 20% of National Demand, Says Minister
13 November 2024
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang said that about 80% of raw milk needs are still met through imports.
Milk Procurement to Spend 20% of Prabowo's Free Nutritious Meal Budget
12 November 2024
The government has allocated Rp71 trillion to realize the Free Nutritious Meal program by 2025.
Indonesia Imports 80 Percent of Milk for Consumption, Minister Says Domestic Production Inadequate
11 November 2024
Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi says 80 percent of domestic milk consumption is imported.
