Gov’t to Stabilize the Price of Staple Food for Eid Al-Fitr 1439H

Enggartiasto delivers his statement after Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/4). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations)

Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita extended his readiness to maintain the supply and stability of staple food prices on the occasion of Ramadhan and Eid Al-Fitr 1439H/2018 as directed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s in a Limited Cabinet Meeting on Thursday (5/4).

According to Enggartiasto, the most sensitive issue is the price of rice. However, prices have started to decline, along with the availability of supply. He has targeted to reach at least the Highest Retail Price (HET).

“We will also strive along with the availability of supply under HET because supply and demand will certainly determine the price,” the Minister told the press after the Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/4).

Therefore, in the middle of this month, Ministry of Trade will require all rice traders in traditional markets to sell medium rice. If certain areas do not have stock of medium rice, the Government will provide the rice through State Logistics Agency (Bulog), which price follows the HET.

“There is no reason the stock is not available and the price does not reach the HET, as we will provide the rice if it does not available,” Enggartiasto said.

For cooking oil, according to the Minister, Ministry of Trade has requested and requires all producers of cooking oil to sell it in a simple package of Rp11,000 per liter as much as 20% of total production.

“We also recommend that they provide 0.5 liters pack but the price is Rp6,000 due to the cost of packaging, while the price of bulk cooking oil is Rp10,500,” said the Minister of Trade. In addition to that, there is no disruption of supply because the Ministry has asked them to distribute it in advance.

In the meantime, there is no problem in sugar, eggs and chicken meat supplies, but he is worried if the price falls because of excessive supply.

Enggartiasto informed that frozen meat to be sold Rp80,000, either imported meat from India or frozen fore shank imported from various sources, such as Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain. Moreover, Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health is now preparing for review and research of imported frozen meat from Brazil.

According to the Minister, the Government will only issue import permits for fore shank meat and others. “If they want to sell hind shank more than Rp80,000 it will be fine. For those who are willing to sell at a price of Rp80,000, we are very grateful. Otherwise, we do not issue import permit. If nobody wants to, I will import the meat myself through State-Owned Enterprises,” Enggartiasto concluded. (MRA/FID/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)