"The food, beverage, and tobacco group contributed quite a lot to inflation this March, which came from red chili, with a 0.1 percent share, because it was affected by limited supply," he said at a press conference in Jakarta.
The limited supply of red chili was caused by a shift in the season, which led to a prolonged rainy season, Yuwono explained. Indonesia should have entered the dry season in March, he said.
In addition to red chili, the increase in cooking oil prices also contributed 0.04 percent to inflation.
The increase in the price of cooking oil in March was due to the government revoking the Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 6 of 2022 concerning the Determination of the Highest Retail Price for Palm Cooking Oil.
As a result, the price was submitted to the market mechanism.
Broiler eggs also contributed 0.04 percent to inflation in March, with the price of chicken eggs increasing due to a rise in the cost of animal feed.
Red chili, cooking oil, and broiler eggs are included in the food, beverage, and tobacco expenditure group, which registered inflation of 1.47 percent with a 0.38-percent share in inflation in March 2022.
"The food, beverage, and tobacco expenditure group contributed the most to inflation in March 2022, which was 0.38 percent, and inflation was 1.74 percent," Yuwono explained.
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Another expenditure group that also contributed a significant 0.08 percent to March inflation was the expenditure group for housing, water, electricity, and household fuel.
The reason for this was the increase in household fuel prices and rent, which contributed 0.07 percent and 0.01 percent, respectively, to inflation.
Finally, the expenditure group that also contributed greatly to March inflation was the expenditure group for personal care and other services, which added 0.07 percent to the overall figure.
"That is because of the increase in the price of gold jewelry compared to February, so this contributed 0.04 percent," Yuwono said.
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Translator: Astrid F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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