Food Prices Remain Stable, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi answers reporters’ question in the Car Free Day event in Dago, Bandung, Sunday (11/11). (Photo by: Agung/Public Relations)

Prices of staple foods in Indonesia are still stable and in a normal and reasonable position, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“The prices are all the same everywhere. For example, the price for a bunch of water spinach and cassava leaves are Rp2,000, including in Bogor and Banten,” President Jokowi told reporters in the Car Free Day event in Dago, Bandung, Sunday (11/11).

Furthermore, President Jokowi said that egg price has dropped is to around Rp20,000 to Rp22,000 from previously at Rp28,000. However, beef price is slightly up to Rp33,000-Rp35,000 from Rp28,000-Rp30,000 so it is relatively stable.

“Chili price is in stable position at Rp40,000. The prices once skyrocketed to Rp80,000. Indeed, we cannot control the price to reach Rp10,000 for the sake of our farmers,” the President added.

President Jokowi went on to say that the Government wants to maintain balance of prices in a normal and reasonable position for the interest of farmers as producers and the people as consumers since the prices do not fluctuate, President Jokowi said.

On the occasion, the President added that he appreciated efforts made by the city governments to improve cleanliness of traditional markets. “They really want to clean the markets from muds and the stench and they also want to tidy up the kiosks,” he said.

As of today, according to President Jokowi, there are approximately 2,500 markets built, both in cities and districts and for the village market, the President continued, more than 5,000 small markets have been built.. (FID/AGG/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono

Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas