Food Prices Remain Stable, Coordinating Minister Says

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto delivers statement in a press conference after attending the online Limited Cabinet Meeting, Tuesday (28/4). Photo by: PR/Ibrahim

The daily price and the weekly price of food are relatively stable although price of five commodities have increased by 0.27%-2.5%, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto has said.

“Year-to-date food inflation from January to March is 0.15%, this is lower than the same period in 2016-2018-2019,” the Coordinating Minister said after attending the online Limited Cabinet Meeting, Tuesday (28/4).

Airlangga said that the inflation in March was mainly generated by price increase of sugar (0.02%), broiler chicken egg (0.03%) and shallots (0.01%).

“Rice contributed to inflation in January to October 2019 and contributed to deflation in several months of 2020,” Airlangga added.

The price of rice as of 27 April, he added, was Rp11,800 for medium quality, and Rp12,750 for premium quality. Sugar price was Rp18,250 in traditional markets and Rp12,500 in modern markets, while price of beef was Rp118,400.

“The price of cayenne pepper was Rp38,750, chili pepper was Rp32,750, shallots was Rp45,500, garlic was Rp.40,000, non-bottled cooking oil was Rp12,300, bottled cooking oil was Rp14,750, broiler chicken was Rp28,450, and broiler chicken eggs was Rp 25,500,” Airlangga said.

He went on to say that in terms of rice production, it is estimated that the harvest in April will produce 5.6 million tons of rice. The calculation, he added, is based on the trends occurred in 2018 and in 2019.

“Generally, rice reserve is available, although some regions have limited reserve,” Airlangga said.

The Coordinating Minister further said that the Government will distribute commodities, including rice, corn, chili, cayenne pepper, shallots, chicken eggs, chicken meat, beef, garlic, sugar, and cooking oil from the regions with commodity surplus to the regions with limited supply.

“The Bulog (the National Logistices Agency) and the Ministry of Trade will provide measures to maintain food supply in the regions” Airlangga added.

Airlangga also stated that President Joko Widodo’s directive is to maintain food supply, including the supply of rice. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani