Chili Supply at Main Market Not Yet Disrupted

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Horticulture products, such as, chilies, tomatoes and other vegetables are prone to be affected during the rainy season. That is because its supplies in the market could easily be reduced due to disrupted distributions from suppliers in regions that are affected by floods.

However, the supplies and prices of chilies and red onions at the Kramat Jati Market remain stable. The Central Data and Information of Kramat Jati Market’s Fruit and Vegetables' Staff member, Suminto, said the supply of chilies was recorded at 137,000 tons. "It actually has decreased from its normal condition, which  was 165,000 tons, but it is still safe because there is no significant fluctuation yet," he said when contacted by Tempo yesterday.

The price fluctuation, he said, had not exceeded the threshold reference that was implemented by the ministry of trade. The best quality of curly red chilies (TM99) are priced at Rp32,000 per kilogram this afternoon. Meanwhile, red chilies from Sukabumi is Rp2,000-21,000 per kilogram.

Fundamentally, according to Suminto, the chili supply that had decreased this month was not caused by decreased productions from central suppliers, but because of delayed distributions. "Even if they arrived late, it would only cause temporary increase in prices," he explained.

AYU PRIMA SANDI | PINGIT ARIA