Gov’t Strives to Lower Sugar Prices

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs delivers his statement after a limited meeting, Wednesday (13/5). (Photo by: PR/Agung)

In a bid to control sugar price, the Indonesian Government has transferred refined sugar meant for industries to the retail market.

“Regarding sugar price, some of the imports are delayed because some regions in other countries impose restrictions due to lockdowns,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said after a limited meeting, Wednesday (13/5).

According to the data, Airlangga said, garlic import has entered the domestic market. “We expect that with the supply availability, the price can be further controlled. In April, there were 81 thousand tons entered (the market), while in May, it is estimated to reach 129 thousand tons,” Airlangga stated.

Airlangga also revealed that there was no plan to import shallot due to self-sufficiency. “The price of shallot in Java averaged at Rp49,000, Rp47,000, and Rp45,000, while in Jayapura of Papua Island, Banda Aceh, and Southeast Sulawesi it can reach Rp64,000, Rp65,000, and Rp53,750 respectively,” he said.

“We need to encourage the distribution process,” Airlangga said.

The Coordinating Minister also said that beef prices remained stable at around Rp118,100.

He also mentioned that the Food Task Force has been assigned to monitor the price stability in the market.

On the occasion, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo stated that the peak harvest season for shallot will be in June. “But in May,  we have 78,700 tons of supply, that’s our national balance sheet. Therefore, this distribution process must be done properly in May,” the Minister added.

He affirmed that the price increase is mainly triggered by abnormal distribution. He believes that after this problem is resolved, the price stability can be achieved. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani