Several traders, who had the opportunity to chat with Sambuaga, remarked that the prices of several staple goods, such as red cayenne pepper and shallots, continued to increase during Silence Day and the first day of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, other traders, especially those selling affordable packaged cooking oil, Minyakita, pointed out that the demand for it was high, but traders were constrained by limited stocks.
Sambuaga made assurance that the government continues to work to maintain the prices of staple goods.
The deputy trade minister considered that it was normal for the prices of several staple goods to fluctuate before and during national religious holidays.
In general, the prices of staple goods at the Jimbaran Traditional Village Market were stable, although the prices of some commodities increased while those of others decreased, he noted.
"The stocks of staple goods are secure. Cooking oil, chilies, garlic, shallots, flour, and eggs are available in sufficient stocks," he remarked.
He noted that premium rice was priced at Rp13 thousand per kilogram; sugar, at Rp13,500 per kilogram; chicken meat, Rp35 thousand per kilogram; and eggs, Rp28,300 per kilogram.
Furthermore, wheat flour costs Rp13,500 per kilogram; large red chilies priced at Rp35 thousand per kilogram; red cayenne pepper, Rp75 thousand per kilogram; red onion, Rp35 thousand per kilogram; and honan white garlic, Rp30 thousand per kilogram, he stated.
Several traders at the market noted that the price of red cayenne pepper, as per Saturday, was still quite high, in the range of Rp70 thousand to Rp80 thousand per kilogram, while the normal price was Rp50 thousand per kilogram.
Meanwhile, some traders pointed to a slight increase in the price of shallots, from the usual Rp28 thousand per kilogram to Rp30 thousand to Rp35 thousand per kilogram.
"We will continue to see the price update in the next one or two days. Hopefully, the price can decrease," Sambuaga remarked.
Speaking in connection with the availability of Minyakita, the deputy minister noted that the government had increased its national supply, from 300 thousand tons per month to 450 thousand tons a month.
"The Ministry of Trade will continue to monitor the availability and supply of Minyakita at the distributor and agent levels. I heard from traders that in the last few days, there has been an increase in demand for Minyakita," he stated.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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