Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has emphasized that the stocks of staple goods in Indonesia are currently sufficient and the prices under control, thus, the government is ready to face the Christmas and New Year demand.
“We are indeed intensely monitoring staple food because it concerns the livelihoods of many people. This is President Joko Widodo’s order, so staple food must be available and the price is affordable and stable,” Hasan said while monitoring the stocks and prices of staple foods at Superindo Jalan Pajajaran and Kebon Kembang Market in Bogor, West Java, on Friday.
In a statement received in Jakarta, the Trade Minister also said that the prices of staple goods in modern retail are generally stable.
“Modern retailers buy directly from the main producers; they have stock, so the price does not fluctuate. In addition, there is no haggling, so the price is stable. Meanwhile, in the people’s market, prices can change many times in one day,” he informed.
Based on monitoring at Superindo, the price of sugar has reached Rp13,500 per kilogram (kg), eggs Rp27,000 per kg, cooking oil Rp14,000–21,900 per liter (lt), meat Rp130,000 per kg, garlic Rp26,950 per kg, and chicken Rp34,000 per kg. The highest retail price (HET) of premium rice has reached Rp12,800 per kg.
The Trade Minister also explained that the inflation rate is relatively under control ahead of Christmas and the New Year. General inflation has dipped from 5.71 percent in October 2022 to 5.42 percent in November.
Meanwhile, Kebon Kembang Market has recorded a decline in the prices of commodities, such as eggs, chilies, and shallots. Meanwhile, meat prices have remained stable.
Based on monitoring conducted through the Market and Basic Needs Monitoring System (SP2KP) of the Ministry of Trade, the price of broiler chicken eggs and chilies has begun to slide, while that of other commodities has remained relatively stable.
The national average price for purebred chicken eggs is currently pegged at Rp31,500 per kg, 8.6 percent above the reference price at the consumer level of Rp27,000 per kg due to increased demand.
Currently, their price at the farmer level (farmgate) is around Rp25,000 per kg, down compared to previous weeks, when it reached Rp27,500 per kg. Chili prices are recorded to have fallen by around 2.4 percent compared to the previous week on account of an increase in supplies from centers.
Minyakita is available in 34 provinces in both people’s markets and modern retail at prices in line with the HET.
The Ministry of Trade is also collaborating with the Indonesian Retailers Association or Aprindo, which has 150 members and 45 thousand outlets throughout Indonesia, for distributing staple goods as well as partners for selling staple goods according to the highest retail price (HET).
Hasan has also asked local governments to intervene if food prices increase by more than five percent of the reference price in their area.
The price intervention will comprise the provision of subsidies on transportation costs and price subsidies. Food subsidies are included in the unexpected expenditure component (BTT), which stands at 2 percent of the general transfer funds (DTU) for each region.
“If the price rises by more than five percent, the mayor will intervene. The government will make every effort to make the goods available and affordable,” the minister said.
Source: Antara News