Indonesian Trade Minister Warns of Year-End Price Hikes for Essential Goods

Warning on Potential Price Increases

Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso has issued a warning about potential price increases for several essential commodities during the upcoming Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period. The commodities most likely to be affected include chili, chicken meat, and eggs. According to Budi Santoso, these commodities typically experience price fluctuations during the year-end holidays.

Factors Contributing to Price Hikes

The minister specifically highlighted that extreme weather conditions are a significant factor contributing to these price increases, particularly for chili. The continuous rain during the end-of-year period tends to affect chili production and distribution, leading to higher prices. 'Usually, if it's near the year-end, what needs to be anticipated is chili, we have been anticipating this continuously. Usually, chili prices rise at the end and beginning of the year because of continuous rain,' Budi explained.

Government Preparedness

While the price increases are often associated with the Nataru period, Budi clarified that the rise in chili prices is more directly related to weather conditions rather than the holiday season itself. The government has been monitoring the situation closely to ensure price stability for these essential commodities. The warning from the Trade Minister serves as a preparation for both the government and consumers to anticipate potential price hikes during the festive season.