TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Ministry predicted that prices of meat and eggs would rise during the holiday season. Trade Ministry’s director general for domestic trade Oke Nurwan said that the price hike could be caused by increasing demands by the end of this year.
"On December 8, the price of broiler chicken increased by 2.4 percent to Rp 30,600 (US$2.3) per kilogram," Oke said during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, December 9, 2016. "The demands will continue to rise near Christmas, New Year, and holiday season."
Eke explained that prices of other commodities were relatively stable.
"The red chili pepper price that usually climbs has now decreased by about 9.8 percent to Rp 45,000 [US$3.4]-Rp 49,000 [US$3.7]," Oke added.
According to Oke, the decreasing read chili pepper price was due to a significant increase in supplies at Kramat Jati market.
Oke revealed that the rice price was also stable, despite unfavorable harvesting season. Oke guaranteed that rice supplies would be sufficient for the next five months.
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that his ministry would focus on securing rice supplies.
"I have met the Indonesian Rice Farmers Association and vendors at Cipinang Market. They guaranteed that rice supplies would be enough until May 2017," Enggartiasto said.
FAJAR PEBRIANTO | R.R. ARIYANI
