President Jokowi Inspects Food Prices at Citeko Traditional Market

President Jokowi inspects food prices at Citeko Traditional Market, Purwakarta Regency, West Java, Thursday (11/09). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (11/09) visited Citeko traditional market in Purwakarta regency, West Java province to check prices of several food commodities.

According to the President, prices of several commodities, such as chili, rise significantly; yet prices of some remain stable.

“It is true that chili price rises significantly, but it always happens. Chili is a seasonal produce. During this time, chili price will increase. I’ve checked earlier. It reaches Rp100 thousand per kg, but prices of shallot, garlic, eggs are all stable,” the President told journalists.

The Head of State also emphasized that the Government would continue to maintain the price stability for staple food like rice, while ensuring that the rice price is still stable so far.

“It does not drop drastically yet, but at least it doesn’t continue to hike,” he added.

The President also highlighted that the Government has formulated several policies to reduce the rice price, among others by distributing food assistance, conducting market operation, and expediting the distribution of rice under SPHP (Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan – Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices) program, to ensure that demands for food can be met.

“This is what we’ve done: market operation, SPHP rice program, 10 kg rice assistance for the people. We have carried out several operations from many angles, but the truth is that all international prices increase,” he said.

During his visit to Citeko market, President Jokowi also distributed social assistance to market traders and street vendors. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AY/MEP)