Food Prices in Jakarta Rise Ahead of Christmas, New Year; Chili Sells at Rp50,000
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6 December 2022 20:37 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The prices of food such as vegetables and other staple pantry items have increased significantly in two markets in Central Jakarta, ahead of Christmas and the 2023 New Year. One of the staple commodities that have experienced a significant increase is chili, which is now selling at Rp50,000 per kilogram.
Acih, a vegetable seller at Serdang Market, Kemayoran District, said on Tuesday that today the price of red and green cayenne pepper, which was previously Rp35,000 per kilogram (kg), has now jumped to Rp50,000 per kg. "Chicken eggs were previously Rp25,000 per kg. Now it's Rp30,000 per kg," she said.
Because of that, Acih said that his sales turnover has now fallen to 30 percent, as it made the number of buyers decrease. Acih assumed that the food prices increase was caused by low supply as Indonesia is entering the rainy season, leading to limited harvests and other issues.
Suci, a vegetable seller at the Cikini Suci Market, said that the prices of chilies and jengkol (blackbead/dog fruits) have increased significantly by almost 50 percent. She said that the price increase was due to the rainy season, farmers experiencing floods, and being unable to harvest.
"Aside from the rainy season and floods, the price hikes were also triggered by increasing demand towards the end of the year," he said.
Another vegetable seller, Adi, also blamed the rainy season for the price increase, causing a low harvest.
"My hope is that the government has a solution and helps lower the prices," he said.
Antara
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