The minister also commended the work of the National Police Food Task Force that continues to monitor food distribution to the community and prevent acts of food violations, such as hoarding.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated that prices of most staple foods tended to decline, especially in Java and Sumatra, ahead of the 2024 Eid al-Fitr.

"On the 21st day of Ramadan, food prices tend to decline, according to the Statistics Indonesia (BPS)," the minister remarked at the roll-call for securing food supply and prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr conducted by the National Food Agency (Bapanas) at the Bulog Warehouse on Monday.

Hasan noted that almost every morning, he visited markets in Java and learned that the price trend had started to decline.

For instance, rice prices in several Java and Sumatra markets have dropped around Rp1 thousand to Rp3 thousand per kilogram. He remarked that rice is currently sold almost close to the highest retail price (HET) set by the government.

According to the minister, this was due to the harvest season currently underway. Based on the Agriculture Ministry's data, the rice harvest volume this month reached 3.8 million tons, exceeding the national need of 2.5 million tons each month.

In addition, the prices of other commodities, such as chicken, also decreased. The average price of chicken meat per kilogram is Rp40 thousand per kilogram, while the price of chicken eggs has dropped to Rp27 thousand - Rp28 thousand per kilogram, Hasan pointed out.

"I thank the Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and the head of Bapanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi, for their extraordinary work," he stated.

The minister also commended the work of the National Police Food Task Force that continues to monitor food distribution to the community and prevent acts of food violations, such as hoarding.

Hasan remarked that recently, food prices were always under control during holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, Christmas, and New Year.

However, he reminded all parties to remain vigilant amid the potential of food price hikes due to the high demand ahead and after Eid.


Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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