The prices of food products are still high but relatively stable. The situation during Ramadhan-Eid this time is expected to be good.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government had been called on to take precautionary measures against hikes in food prices especially during Ramadhan (Muslim fasting month) 2019 when food consumption skyrockets.
"The government has been called on to take precautionary measures not only during Idul Fitri (post-fasting month festivity) but also prior to Ramadhan food intake increases during the fasting month," the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB)'s food and agriculture observer Bayu Krisnamurthi remarked on the sidelines of a roundtable discussion here on Thursday.
Krisnamurthi observed that there was no significant fluctuation in food prices yet.
"Food product prices are yet high though comparatively stable. The situation during this year's Ramadhan-Eid is likely to be good," the former deputy trade minister stated.
Krisnamurthi remarked that despite the steep price of garlic, it was not an urgent essential item.
Furthermore, the government has taken countermeasures in connection with the garlic issue, including market operations.
The Agriculture Ministry had earlier guaranteed the availability of food items and price stability prior to Ramadhan.
"God willing, typically, prior to Ramadan and then the holidays, the government will give its undivided focus. Apart from sufficient availability, the price is not burdensome on the consumers as well as not excessively pressurizing producers," Ministry of Agriculture's Secretary General Iwantoro remarked when attending a function on the inauguration of the Land and Agriculture Museum in Bogor, West Java, Monday.
Translator: Ade irma Junida, Eliswan Azl
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
