Mid-December Food Prices: Rice, Beef and Onions Still Rising

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As Christmas and New Year (Nataru) approaches, the majority of staple food prices have continued to rise in the past week. However, some prices like cayenne pepper, cooking oil, and eggs are experiencing a decline.

As reported by the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Price Panel on Thursday, December 15, 2022, the red cayenne pepper price dropped by 0.10 percent to IDR49,530 per kilogram (kg) compared to a week ago. Chicken egg prices also declined by 0.37 percent to IDR9,940 per kg, packaged cooking oil prices were down by 0.73 percent to IDR17,680 per kg, and bulk cooking oil prices dropped by 0.56 percent to IDR14,260 per kg.

Meanwhile, other staple foods such as rice, soybeans, and beef are experiencing a price increase. Premium rice prices increase by 0.62 percent to IDR13,010 per kg, medium category rice prices increase by 0.62 percent to IDR11,430 per kg, imported soybeans prices increased by 0.41 percent to IDR14,840 per kg, shallots prices rose by 0.68 percent to IDR35,550 per kg, and garlic prices increase by 0.78 percent to IDR25,920 per kg.

Furthermore, prices of curly red chili increased by 1.29 percent to IDR36,870 per kg, pure beef price increased by 1.03 percent to IDR135,940 per kg, bulk wheat flour price increased by 0.45 percent to IDR11,140 per kg, and corn prices increase by 1.76 percent to IDR5,770 per kg.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) ensured that prices and stocks of food staples (bapok) are relatively safe, especially in preparation for Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 (Nataru).

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) said that based on the Ministry of Trade's records, although prices of food staples have increased, some recorded a decline, such as the price of rice in modern retail which remains stable, or even lower compared to the permissible highest retail price (HET). Meanwhile, Bulog's (Indonesian Bureau of Logistics) rice prices remained unchanged. In addition to rice, chicken meat prices also decreased.

"Overall, the stock is available and the price is stable. Therefore, once again the stock is available, and the price is stable. We are doing everything we can to keep stock of staple foods safe," said Zulkifli in his statement on Monday, December 12, 2022.

Zulkifli added that inflation in November 2022 was recorded at 5.42 percent, a number lower compared to the previous month, which was recorded at 5.71 percent.

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