"Chili turns out to be cheap. If able, push up (the price) a little bit. Outside the region, chili is Rp30 thousand (US$2.04), Rp25 thousand (US$1.70) (per kilogram). In Papua, it is Rp20 thousand (US$1.36), in Makassar, it is Rp25 thousand. If possible, (sell) chili at Rp40 thousand (US$2.72)," the minister said at a press conference at the ministry's office here on Thursday.
He noted that the price of eggs in Makassar is also too cheap, causing losses to farmers and vendors.
"Eggs, when I went to Makassar last time, it was (priced at) Rp25 thousand for one kilogram, that's a loss. If possible, eggs in Makassar (should be sold for) Rp29 thousand (US$1.97). When it is priced at Rp29 thousand, the farmers still profit. If it is at Rp26 thousand, then bought at Rp24 thousand (US$1.63), that's a loss," he elaborated.
According to Minister Hasan, the high chicken prices seen in some places, such as Makassar, are normal. The increase in prices after Ramadhan is fine since, during that month, the prices were too low, he explained.
Moreover, limited distribution access during the later Eid holiday period also played a part in pushing up chicken prices, he said.
No one sold anything in the markets on the second day of Eid, he noted. Moreover, food and drinks need to be distributed using large trucks, which was prohibited because they could cause traffic jams, he added.
Hasan said that overall, he is grateful that the stocks and prices of staple goods during Eid remained under control, and the prices of some commodities actually fell.
This success is owed to coordination between the Trade Ministry, the Food Task Force, and the National Food Agency, all of whom consistently monitored the prices of food and conducted initiatives to ensure that the inflation rate in April remained low, he pointed out.
"All of this, we are thankful for. This (is the result of) collaboration of all stakeholders under the leadership of Mr. Jokowi (Joko Widodo), our President, all of this are running well and smoothly. We express our gratitude," he added.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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