Staple Goods Prices Surge as Ramadan Nears
3 July 2013 17:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Malang – The prices of main commodities in a number of traditional markets in Malang have soared. The price hikes ranged from Rp500 to Rp10,000 per item, as they began climbing ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, coupled with the recent increase of subsidized fuel prices.
"Prices have gone up over the past week," said Agus Salam, a trader at the Malang market, Tuesday, July 2.
Shallots are sold for Rp38,000 per kilogram, up from their initial price of Rp26,000. Meanwhile, garlic prices are now sold for Rp10,000 to Rp12,000 per kg.
Agus said that chili prices have also jumped, but this was due to crop failure that led to insufficient supplies.
Agus believes that staple goods prices will continue to rise as Ramadan approaches, followed by a relatively stable price during the fasting month. He projected that days before the However Eid al-Fitr prices will go up again due to the high demand and limited supply.
EKO WIDIANTO