Prices of basic commodities remain high<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 10 days after the Idul Fitri and
\nChristmas celebrations, the prices of most basic commodities have
\nyet to come down significantly, largely because many of the big
\nsuppliers are still closed for the long holidays.<\/p>\n
Shoppers and shopkeepers at Perumnas Klender market in East
\nJakarta, Pasar Minggu market in South Jakarta and Pasar Koja
\nmarket in North Jakarta said on Saturday that they have not seen
\nsignificant changes in the prices of meat, chicken, and
\nvegetables.<\/p>\n
Prices rose markedly in the second half of December as people
\nprepared to celebrate Christmas, Idul Fitri and the New Year.<\/p>\n
The Central Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday that the
\nconsumer price index rose by 1.94 percent in December alone --
\nthe highest monthly inflation figure of 2000 -- mostly due to
\nhigher food prices.<\/p>\n
Diah, a shopper in Perumnas Klender market on Saturday, said
\nshe had just bought a chicken for Rp 13,500 per kilogram,
\ncompared to Rp 10,000 before Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
Feri, a vendor at Perumnas Klender market, recalled that
\nchicken prices rose as high as Rp 15,000 per kg before Idul
\nFitri. He said he could not lower his prices as long as the
\nslaughterhouse in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, from where he bought
\nhis chickens, continued to charge the higher price.<\/p>\n
Beef prices have come down slightly but not to the pre-holiday
\nlevel.<\/p>\n
Irwan, who runs a butchers shop at Perumnas Klender market,
\nwas selling beef at Rp 30,000 per kg, compared to Rp 35,000-
\n38,000 during the holiday period.<\/p>\n
He said prices remained high because the city-owned Cakung
\nslaughterhouse in East Jakarta, from where he buys his meat, has
\nlimited supplies. \"I guess the price will not decline until the
\nend of this month,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Chicken eggs are about the only commodity to defy the trend.<\/p>\n
Slamet, an egg vendor at Perumnas Klender market, was selling
\neggs at Rp 5,500 a kg, compared to Rp 9,000-9,500 in the week
\nbefore Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
Prices of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, cooking oil, and
\nother basic needs have also yet to return to their normal levels.<\/p>\n
Tati, who runs a kiosk at Perumnas Klender market, said many
\nvendors at Kramatjati main market, from where she gets her
\nvegetables, were still closed. \"Stocks are very limited. That's
\nwhy prices are still high,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She was selling onions for Rp 6,500 per kg compared to Rp
\n7,000 during the Idul Fitri holiday, tomatoes for Rp 2,000 per
\nkg, Rp 500 cheaper than at Idul Fitri, and potatoes for Rp 3,000
\nper kg, also Rp 500 less.<\/p>\n
The only commodity whose price has fallen significantly in her
\nkiosk is chili peppers, at Rp 8,000 per kg compared to Rp 14,000
\npreviously.<\/p>\n
The prices of sugar, beans, and cooking oil have all remained
\nrelatively stable throughout the holiday, according to Budi, who
\nruns a grocery store at Perumnas Klender.<\/p>\n
He was selling sugar for around Rp 3,600 per kg, groundnuts
\nfor Rp 7,000 per kg, and cooking oil for Rp 3,000 per kg. (04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prices-of-basic-commodities-remain-high-1447893297",
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