POULTRYINDONESIA, Blitar – For the first time, 40 tons of spent layer chicken carcasses from East Java have been shipped to Makassar, South Sulawesi. Similar shipments are also being directed to Papua. The chickens were shipped as frozen meat from non-productive laying hens, with the official release taking place in Sidoarjo on September 1, 2026.

Beyond the ceremonial aspect, this inaugural shipment is seen as the beginning of efforts to establish a more organized distribution channel for layer farmers, who have often faced difficulties marketing chickens that have reached the end of their production cycle.

The initiative is the result of collaboration between the government, ID FOOD, and several livestock farmer cooperatives in Blitar. The cooperatives involved include PPN Blitar Cooperative, Kartini Cooperative, Putra Blitar Cooperative, PPRN Cooperative (Nusantara People’s Livestock Farmers Association), Seribu Rejeki Cooperative, and Berkah Telur Cooperative.

Makmun, Director of Livestock Product Downstreaming, said that strengthening collaboration, particularly at the cooperative level, is key to consolidating farmers’ production potential and connecting it with broader markets.

“The release of these 40 tons is an initial step. Going forward, it will become a regular program. Cooperation among cooperatives is necessary to prevent prices from being controlled by middlemen. Farmers’ bargaining position must be strengthened,” Makmun said.

From ID FOOD’s side, Commercial Director Dwi Sutoro reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building a livestock ecosystem that involves cooperatives and farmers as part of the supply chain. The shipment was carried out through PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (Persero).

“ID FOOD wants to build an ecosystem. Cooperatives are present and necessary to facilitate the needs and aspirations of their members,” Dwi said.

He added that distributing layer chickens from East Java to regions outside Java also aims to help meet chicken meat demand in areas still facing supply shortages, without disrupting markets traditionally served by local farmers. ID FOOD is said to have the capacity to absorb market demand in Makassar and Papua of up to 150 tons per month, with opportunities to gradually increase the volume.

Through this collaboration, cooperatives are encouraged not only to serve as organizational platforms for farmers but also to consolidate their members’ needs, including the absorption of spent laying hens and connecting them with markets in other regions.

Meanwhile, Heri Widyatmoko, Head of the Blitar Regency Livestock and Fisheries Agency, welcomed the initiative. According to him, access to markets is an essential need for farmers once their chickens reach the end of their productive period.

“We would like to express our gratitude for the absorption of these spent laying hens. We also thank the central government for its swift action in providing solutions to the existing problems,” Heri said.

The absorption of spent laying hens has indeed become one of the solutions to challenges long faced by farmers, particularly when their chickens are no longer productive and require marketing channels that can provide better economic value.

Chairman of the PPRN Cooperative, Rofi, also expressed his appreciation to ID FOOD, which he said had provided a solution by purchasing spent laying hens at prices above the market rate.

“We thank ID FOOD for being able to provide a solution to this problem by absorbing spent laying hens at prices above the market price,” Rofi said.

He added that stronger cooperation among cooperatives is needed to increase farmers’ capacity and bargaining position in the marketing and trading of spent laying hens.

“We acknowledge that cooperatives have so far had a weak bargaining position and that the market is still largely controlled by middlemen. Cooperation among cooperatives is necessary. The chemistry that has already been established needs to be maintained,” he added.

The inaugural shipment of 40 tons of layer chicken carcasses to Makassar marks an initial step in connecting production centers in East Java with regions that still require additional supply. This model is expected to develop into a regular distribution system involving more cooperatives and farmers.

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