Beyond travel: Why food logistics matter during Idul Fitri

Roads, railways, airports and ferry crossings will be overwhelmed with travelers eager to return to their hometowns. Mudik is more than just a religious practice. It carries significant social and economic implications.

The government has implemented various regulations and preparations to ensure smooth and safe travel. However, while much attention is given to human mobility, the movement of food products during this period deserves equal scrutiny.

The supply chain does not pause for holidays, and disruptions to food logistics could have severe consequences for consumers, farmers and businesses alike. Food production remains a non-negotiable necessity, regardless of circumstances.

Unlike office workers who can work remotely, farmers must continue tending their fields to sustain food supplies. The plow must keep moving, and food must continue to be harvested, processed and distributed to meet the demand of millions.

Any disruption in the food supply chain, whether due to transportation bottlenecks or labor shortages, can lead to food shortages and price volatility. During peak holiday seasons such as Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year, food supply chains face critical distribution challenges.

As historian Susanne Freidberg highlights in her book Fresh: A Perishable History (2009), food logistics have been reliant on transportation networks since the 19th century. Human and food mobility have always been interconnected.

Without an efficient transportation system, perishable food products cannot reach consumers in a timely manner, leading to spoilage and economic loss. In Indonesia, food production centers are often far from major economic hubs.

Rice, vegetables, fruit and livestock are produced in rural areas but consumed primarily in urban centers. This means the “food miles” (the distance food travels from farm to table) in Indonesia are greater.

Any disruption in distribution channels could lead to serious consequences, including food scarcity and inflated prices. Addressing this requires attention in several key areas.

First, food logistics must be also granted access to transportation routes. When food shipments are delayed, consumers face price hikes and lower-quality products.

Historically, The Dutch colonial government fully recognized the importance of food distribution routes. Roads and railways were initially built not for human mobility but for transporting agricultural products. These routes connected sugarcane, tea and coffee plantations to ports.

Today, Indonesia’s food production centers remain distant from population hubs. Traffic congestion during mudik should not further complicate food distribution, as any delays can impact the availability and quality of essential food supplies.

Authorities should consider implementing priority lanes for food transportation vehicles or developing a scheduling system to ensure essential food shipments are not caught in traffic jams.

Second, categorizing food products is important for efficient distribution. Different food products have different storage and transportation needs. Perishable items such as livestock products and horticultural goods deteriorate rapidly if not handled properly.

Prolonged delays due to heavy traffic can lead to spoilage, financial losses for farmers and reduced food quality for consumers. Dairy products, fresh fruit, seafood and meat require proper refrigeration and timely distribution to maintain their freshness and nutritional value.

Understanding the characteristics of food products is essential for developing effective distribution policies. Some countries mark food transportation vehicles with special tags, granting them priority on the roads.

Investing in cold storage facilities along key distribution routes could help extend the shelf life of perishable goods such as beef, poultry, dairy products, vegetables and fruit. Improving cold chain logistics is crucial for ensuring food security and reducing waste.

Third, it is important to strengthen food reserves and promote local produce. Given Indonesia’s vast archipelagic geography, strengthening food reserves at strategic locations is crucial.

Establishing local food reserves in Indonesia would not only serve as a buffer against production shortfalls, but also ensure food security when transportation disruptions occur. Moreover, increasing local food consumption can reduce reliance on goods from distant regions.

Local food consumption also cuts down distribution costs and environmental impact. Encouraging people to consume locally sourced food reduces the burden on national logistics networks and supports local farmers.

Regional governments should play a proactive role in boosting local food production to meet community needs. This approach shortens supply chains and reduces transportation-related pollution, making food distribution more sustainable.

Local markets and food hubs should be strengthened to provide an alternative to long-distance supply chains, ensuring that communities have access to fresh and affordable food.

Small-scale farming in urban areas, vertical farming technologies and hydroponic systems can help reduce dependency on long-distance food transportation, making cities more resilient to supply chain disruptions.

A well-functioning food distribution system is just as crucial as a smooth transportation network for holiday travelers. By balancing human mobility with food supply chain efficiency, Indonesia can maintain both festive traditions and the national food supply chain.

The writer, a PhD student in animal production system at Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands, formerly worked at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).