TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Chief Suryamin, said that a number of commodities have been the most dominant driving factor for inflation.

"Shallot continues to cause price changes," Suryamin said during a press conference at the BPS office in Jakarta onFriday, April 1, 2016.

Shallot and red chili pepper contributed to 0.14 percent and 0.13 percent to inflation, respectively. In addition, cayenne pepper and garlic contributed to 0.05 percent and 0.02 percent to inflation, respectively.

Suryamin added that shallot price increase was triggered by the rainy season that occurred in shallot producing areas, causing crop failure and a decline in production. Similarly, a hike in red chili pepper price was caused by weather condition.

Gold jewelry also contributed 0.03 percent to inflation in March 2016 due to an increasing trend in international price, Suryamin said.

The BPS earlier announced that the monthly inflation rate in March 2016 stood at 0.19 percent. Out of 82 itesm listed in consumer-price-index (IHK) cities, 58 saw inflation in the third month of 2016. The highest inflation occurred in Bukit Tinggi with 1.18 percent.

In addition, Malang, Tangerang and Singkawang saw inflation that stood at 0.02 percent. The inflation occurred after a deflation in the previous month at 0.09 percent. The year-on-year inflation rate stood at 4.45 percent.

DIKO OKTARA