Prices of commodities at present were still within the stable level so that market operations were not yet needed.Bogor, W Java (ANTARA News) - Food stocks, including meat, are enough in the face of the fasting month next August, a senior official said.
Director General for Internal Trade of the Ministry of Trade Gunaryo who inspected the bubulak abattoir here on Monday said that meat and other food stocks were enough for supplies during the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Therefore, he guaranteed the availability meat until the post-fasting Idul Fitri festivities. "We have secure stocks of food stuff such as rice, meat, chicken and others. They are enough until Lebaran (Idul Fitri)," he said.
Referring to price hikes, the director general said they had been driven by the market trend in the run up the fasting month and Lebaran day.
However, he said, prices of commodities at present were still within the stable level so that market operations were not yet needed.
"Prices at present are relatively lower than those in the past year," he said.
He said that market operations would be launched if prices were too high while stocks in the market were running short. "Market operations will be launched if price increases exceeded 15 percent. This is because we have protect small traders," he added.
In the meantime, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked related ministers to ensure food stability and basic commodity prices in the run up to and during the fasting month.
"President Yudhoyono made the request at a limited cabinet meeting at Halim Perdanakusuma airport on Monday," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said after the meeting.
Hatta said the president asked the ministers to ensure the stability of basic commodity prices, and food availability across the country in the run up to and during the fasting month.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
