"The price stability is still good. This is what I constantly check," the head of state noted after reviewing the prices of staple goods and handing cash assistance (BLT) at Prumpung Market, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday.
President Jokowi also reviewed the prices of staple goods at Parung Market, Bogor, prior to visiting Prumpung Market.
According to the head of state, the stability in prices of staple goods, such as chicken and cooking oil, was still good. Moreover, the price of shallots had reduced slightly.
"Shallot's (price) decreased a bit, while chicken prices are still good, both for the farmers and people who consume it. I suppose you can say the prices are still stable, and so is cooking oil, that is at the same price of Rp14 thousand (US$1). It is good," he explained.
Jokowi also drew attention to the fact that some types of rice were still valued at below Rp 10 thousand per kilogram.
The president noted that the price of eggs fluctuated from time to time. The government will ensure that prices remain affordable for consumers while still allowing farmers to profit from the sales.
"It did be like that sometimes. (Price) of chicken increases, sometimes increases, but also dropped (sometimes). If it increases, the farmers are so happy. The buyers are complaining. If the price declines, the farmers surely will complain. Maintaining balance is not easy," he explained.
National Police's Food Task Force, in charge of monitoring stocks and prices of staple goods prior to Eid al-Adha, noted that both are still in a good condition.
"For the stock, supply, and availability, currently, it is still sufficient to meet the people's needs prior to the religious holiday," the head of general information at the National Police's Public Relations Division, Senior Commissioner Nurul Azizah, noted here on Tuesday, June 20.
The unit is focused on eggs and chili stocks, as those two items' prices are increasing.
According to their findings, the price of eggs is fluctuating. In Blitar District, the price of eggs range between Rp 25,500 (US$1.70) and Rp26 thousand (US$1.74) per kilogram.
As for the prices of chili, the national average price in June 2023 had reached Rp 44,780 per kilogram (US$2.99), below the set price of Rp57 thousand (US$3.81) per kilogram.
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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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