Government Conducts Urgent Market Inspection Amid Rising Food Prices

Findings at Kramatjati Market Inspection

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, led a surprise inspection at Kramatjati Market in East Jakarta, revealing concerning price trends for essential commodities. The inspection uncovered that red chili peppers were selling at Rp60,000 per kilogram, while chicken meat was priced at Rp42,000 per kilogram. These prices are significantly higher than other regions in Indonesia.

Price Comparison with Other Regions

The inspection revealed that Jakarta's prices are notably higher compared to other major regions. In East Java, Central Java, and Lampung, chili prices ranged between Rp30,000-Rp40,000 per kilogram. The minister highlighted that while Jakarta's chili prices varied between Rp40,000-Rp50,000/kg, the raw chili pepper remained particularly expensive at Rp60,000/kg.

Government Reference Prices for Commodities

The National Food Agency has established reference prices for these commodities to help stabilize the market. The reference price for red chili peppers is set between Rp40,000-Rp57,000/kg, while curly red chilies are between Rp37,000-Rp55,000/kg at the consumer level. These measures aim to provide price guidance and control inflationary pressures in the market.

Implications for Food Price Management

The government's proactive inspection and price monitoring demonstrate efforts to address rising food costs and ensure market stability. Continued monitoring and potential interventions will be crucial in managing price fluctuations and maintaining food security for consumers.