TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded a decline in rice prices in July 2017. BPS chief Suhariyanto, said that the price decline occurred in all types of rice: premium, medium, and low quality.
Premium rice prices dropped 0.64 percent to Rp9,384 per kilogram, medium quality rice prices fell 0.58 percent to Rp8,744 and low-quality rice price slipped 0.27 percent to Rp8,538.
"This is certainly beneficial to consumers because the price is controlled," said Suhariyono told reporters in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 1.
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According to Suhariyono, the main contributing factor to the price decline is the government's policy to control administered prices' stability.
"This year's stabilization [efforts] have been very good because they run in accordance with the policies taken by the government. Evidently, the price of rice has been stable since the beginning of the year, "he said.
Suhariyono hoped rice prices will stay controlled until the end of this year, as it is a component that greatly affects inflation and poverty rates.
CAESAR AKBAR | SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA