COMMODITY PRICES SHOWING UPWARD TREND

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, June 9 (Antara) - The prices of basic food commodities in various regions in the country are showing an upward trend ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins on Thursday, next week.         The average price hike in South Sumatra, for instance, is recorded at five percent on Monday similar to the price of medium-quality rice, which increased from Rp8 thousand to Rp8.2 thousand per kilogram (kg) and that of high-quality rice from Rp9.4 thousand to 9.6 thousand per kg.         In various regions, the prices of basic food commodities such as rice, sugar, wheat, chicken, potato, cooking oil, egg, garlic, shallot, chili, cabbage, and other vegetables have also shown an increase in the face of the fasting month.          According to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, the prices often soar ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan due to bad trade regulations.          "The root cause of the problem is the supply and distribution chain. We should improve trade regulations. In this regard, we have coordinated with the traders and the state logistics board (Bulog)," the minister stated after visiting the Kramat Jati Wholesale Market in Jakarta on Monday.            Minister Sulaiman made an impromptu observation visit to the Kramat Jati Wholesale Market in East Jakarta to check the stocks of several commodities such as rice, shallots, and chili.          "The stocks of rice, shallots, and chili are adequate. The peak of shallot production is in June and July," the minister stated at the end of the visit.          He affirmed that his ministry has also coordinated with the trade ministry and Bulog in an effort to anticipate the increase in the prices of essential items in the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.          The minister stated that he will continue to monitor the prices of basic food commodities and to minimize imports, particularly of shallots, as there would be surplus stocks.          "The price of rice in February increased 30 percent to Rp12 thousand per kg. But, thanks to our coordination, we can lower the price and make it stable," he noted.          Sulaiman emphasized the need for market innovations to stop price hikes, which take place every year. One such innovation could be to organize bazaars and coordinate with several related ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Transportation, Bulog, and the National Police.          He also highlighted the need to open a pioneer distribution channel to deliver main food commodities to several regions. Distribution should be given priority to ensure that products do not get stuck in queues at ports.          "This coordination should be carried out through an efficient transportation system for the distribution of primary food commodities such as chili, onion, sugar, and rice. This should be given priority," the minister affirmed.          The minister said that his side will also collaborate with the Food Resilience Agency to conduct field inspections twice a day to monitor the prices of essential food commodities.          Regarding the bazaars, Sulaiman pointed out that they will be held in regions that show signs of impending hikes in food commodity prices, which will also be monitored simultaneously.          "We should first monitor it every day. If need arises, we should check it twice a day---in the morning and afternoon. The prices of food commodities across the country should always be monitored," he remarked.          Based on field checks, the supplies of several food commodities continue to flow into the Kramat Jati Wholesale Market in East Jakarta. The supply of chili, for instance, reaches 140 to 150 tons per day and that of shallots reaches 80 to 90 tons daily.          "We have to say that there is an increase in the prices of several commodities, but we will organize bazaars to stabilize the prices. We will also supervise twice a day, so that there is distribution of commodities through a special pioneer distribution line," the minister explained.          Currently, in Jakarta, the average price of shallots is at Rp28,667 per kg; garlic is at Rp16,3 thousand per kg; red cayenne pepper is at Rp16,167 per kg; and green cayenne pepper at Rp13,333 per kg.          The price of jumbo red chili is at Rp20,667 per kg and that of curly red chili is Rp18,833 per kg.          "The price of rice is also secure. We checked it in the traditional market. Its price is between Rp7 thousand to Rp8 thousand per kg. Basically, the prices of these commodities are still stable," the minister affirmed.          In West Java, the price of broiler chickens in the traditional market of Cimahi city increased from Rp27 thousand per kg to Rp32 thousand per kg.     "It has been increasing every day from Rp27 thousand per kg, and today, it has reached Rp32 thousand per kg," noted trader Ayi in the Atas traditional market on Monday. The demand for chickens reaches two tons daily in the Atas market.          The price of rice in East Java is also increasing. "Last week, the price of premium rice of the 25-kg sack was Rp225 thousand per sack, but on Monday, it has increased to Rp230 thousand per sack," R. Heni Yulianto, the Sumenep district head of Trade and Industry Service, East Java, stated.       He revealed that the price of garlic rose from Rp16 thousand per kg to Rp17 thousand per kg. "However, the price of shallots remains at Rp28 thousand per kg. The price of jumbo red chili at Rp25 thousand per kg, jumbo red curly chili at Rp20 thousand per kg, and cayenne at Rp10 thousand per kg are also stable," Yulianto remarked.          In Bengkulu, according to trader Sumami in the Atas Curup Traditional market, the price of red curly chili increased from Rp20 thousand to Rp30 thousand per kg, shallots from Rp28 thousand per kg to Rp35 thousand per kg, round cabbage from Rp four thousand to Rp six thousand per kg, and potatoes from Rp eight thousand to Rp10 thousand per kg.          In South Sumatra, Trade Section Head of Ogan Komering Ulu District Husnizar pointed out that the prices of basic commodities have been increasing by an average of five percent in several traditional markets in the face of the fasting month.          "The price of medium-quality rice increased from Rp eight thousand to Rp8.2 thousand per kg and that of good-quality rice increased from Rp9.4 thousand to Rp9.6 thousand per kg," noted Husnizar in Batu Raja, South Sumatra, on Monday.          Price hikes were also apparent in the face of the Ramadan fasting month in South Sulawesi province.          "The price of slaughter chicken has risen from Rp45 thousand to 48 thousand per head. The price of eggs also increased," trader Mustari in Terong Market, Makassar, said on Monday.          Another trader Hj Murbaya, who sold cooking oil in the Pannampu Market, noted that bulk cooking oil was earlier sold at Rp nine thousand per kg, and on Monday, it was sold at Rp9.5 thousand per kg. The hike in the price of cooking oil was followed by an increase in the price of local sugar from Rp12 thousand per kg to Rp12.5 thousand per kg.          In Central Kalimantan, the increase in the prices of slaughter chicken and eggs contributed to the inflation in East Kota Waringin District.      "As the fasting month draws closer, the prices of slaughter chickens and eggs are on the rise," stated trader Ati in Sampit on Monday.          In the Sampit Market, the price of slaughter chicken increased sharply from Rp24 thousand to Rp35 thousand per kg while the price of eggs, on an average, increased by Rp200 each.     ***3*** (T.A014/INE) EDITED BY INE (T.A014/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 09-06-2015 13:19: