Chief economic minister Hatta Rajasa said here on Saturday that "supplies would be sufficient. Imports have been done to meet shortages, while farmers` interest remains protected."
The majority Muslim population in Indonesia are to conduct a month-long fasting month next week during which demand for basic necessaries is usually increasing.
He said according to a report from the ministry of agriculture the price of shallot has increased to between Rp35,000 and Rp40,000 per kilogram due to late harvest.
"This must be controlled to prevent extreme hike. We have allowed imports but they will be stopped when the harvest comes," he said.
He said the government through state-owned logistics company Bulog has also imported frozen beef up to 1,000 tons to assure supplies during the fasting month and post-fasting festivities.
"Beef imports have been going on carried out by Bulog. The National Statistics Agency is now evaluating the domestic supplies. I am also wondering why the price of beef remains high reaching Rp90,000 per kilogram. Is it because supply is not enough or what. If supply is not enough we must increase it," he said.
He said the government expected the price to drop at around Rp80,000 per kilogram during the fasting month and to Rp70,000 after the fasting month.
"We wish to increase beef consumption for the people to increase their consumption of animal protein. If the price is good it would weaken the public`s buying power," he said.
reporting by Sutarmi
(H-YH/a014)
Editor: Suryanto
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