The ministry's Acting Secretary General, Suhanto, remarked here on Friday that the government has prepared several food commodities to meet the domestic needs.
"The commodities, like sugar and meat, are all available,” he noted.
Suhanto said, the government will prioritize local produce. However, if the supply is still not sufficient, then the government will import them.
“We will import if we have to, but we prioritize supplying them domestically,” Suhanto remarked.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the Trade Ministry will continue to inspect people’s markets to monitor the stability in prices of staples ahead of Ramadan.
He explained that although issues related to staple commodities no longer come under the Trade Ministry's authority, his side will support the monitoring of food supply development in the country.
"We hold this program before Ramadan. We will go down to monitor staple commodities, especially if there are increases in prices," he stated.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had earlier ensured that the national rice stock is sufficient to face the fasting month of Ramadan that is expected to fall between March and April 2024.
"There are no problems regarding the supplies, as they are abundant," he affirmed.
The head of state noted that the government's concern currently is how to optimally distribute supplies to the markets in order to enable easy accessibility for the people.
Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that food stocks in facing Ramadan in March 2024 were considered sufficient.
The government will also increase the Government Food Reserves (CPP) comprising 11 staple commodities, namely rice, corn, soybeans, onions, chili, chicken meat, eggs, meat, sugar, fish, and cooking oil.
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Translator: Maria C, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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