BPS Predicts Rising Trend of Inflation This Month

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Margo Yuwono warned that the inflation surge will be higher in December 2022. This is because the agency recorded that over the past three years, the trend has always increased at the end of the year.

"Beware and be careful of the rising trend of inflation in December 2022," said Margo in a coordination meeting on inflation control at the Home Affairs Ministry's Office, Central Jakarta on Monday, December 5, 2022.

The surge in inflation is caused by seasonal factors at the end of the year. Throughout the season, not only the supply is decreased but also the demand increases because of Christmas and New Year holidays.

Margo disclosed the same pattern for the past three years. In December 2019, the month-to-month (MTM)  inflation rate rose by 0.34 percent due to an increase in prices of a number of commodities such as eggs, onion, and cooking oil, as well as air transportation and train transportation.

In December 2020, inflation saw a 0.45-percent increase due to the price hikes of red chili, eggs, air transport rates, and chicken meat. In December 2021, the increase in inflation was driven by the price of cayenne pepper, red chili, cooking oil, air transport rates, eggs, and chicken meat.

"The question is on December 2022. When looking at this trend, of course, we can prevent it [inflation rate increase] from now on," Margo suggested.

Although inflation at the end of the year is predicted to surge, Margo hoped that the increase will not be too high. Margo asked the local government to take anticipative measures, such as by preparing sufficient supply as demand will certainly increase at the end of the year.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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