Indonesia Boosts Metal SME Access to the Slaughterhouse Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Industry is strengthening partnerships between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the metal sector and slaughterhouses (RPH) to expand access to the domestic market.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said slaughterhouses' ongoing needs represent a potential market for metal SMEs.

“The Ministry continues to strive to expand strategic partnerships for the SME sector so that it can enter the supply chains of potential users in various sectors, including in the provision of facilities and infrastructure supporting halal food,” Minister Agus said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday, August 24, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

According to Minister Agus, improving product quality is essential to ensure SME products remain competitive and become the preferred choice in the domestic market. The government also helps connect SMEs with large industries and other sectors that require sustainable products.

These opportunities are supported by the number of slaughterhouses (RPH) and animal slaughter facilities (TPH), which totaled 1,644 units in 2022, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). Demand for slaughtering tools is also expected to rise ahead of Eid al‑Adha.

The Ministry is conducting a product development mentoring program for metal SMEs in Depok, West Java, which began with a focus group discussion (FGD) on August 10.

The activity involved 23 participants, including 15 hand tool SME operators, six representatives from animal slaughter facilities, and two representatives from the Indonesian Halal Slaughterers Association (JULEHA).

The team then tested the developed products in collaboration with the Tapos Slaughterhouse to gather user feedback. The Ministry partnered with the Indonesian Association of Cutting and Hand Tool Entrepreneurs (ASPERTINDO) and JULEHA Indonesia in this process.

Acting Director of SMEs for Metals, Machinery, Electronics, and Transportation Equipment (LMEA), Budi Setiawan, said the quality of slaughtering tools affects animal welfare and meat quality. “This assistance program is focused on enabling metal SME operators to produce knives and slaughter blades that meet national technical standards,” he explained.

Product development is guided by SNI 9402‑2025 on Slaughter Blades. This standard is expected to improve the quality, consistency, and competitiveness of SME products while expanding direct partnerships with slaughterhouses and TPH.

Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA)Reni Yanita said facilitating partnerships and providing technical assistance can boost capacity and expand the scale of SME businesses.

“Through these activities, various forms of cooperation can be established, enabling SME operators to maximize the benefits that have long been felt by the surrounding community, including through the creation of new job opportunities,” she said. ***