Aceh launches cheap market initiative to curb inflation and protect purchasing power

Meulaboh — The Aceh provincial government has launched a cheap market initiative centred at a former Bank Rakyat Indonesia building site in Meulaboh, West Aceh District, as part of efforts to protect public purchasing power and curb inflation.

Aceh Regional Secretary Muhammad Nasir stated that the programme represents a crucial intervention amid the spike in essential commodity prices, particularly in areas affected by natural disasters.

“This movement programme is a crucial intervention amid the soaring prices of essential goods, especially in disaster-affected regions. The primary objective is to ensure the food supply chain remains protected,” Nasir told journalists in Meulaboh on Monday.

The subsidised food packages provided by the Aceh Food Service contain cooking oil, chicken eggs, premium rice, and sugar, and are sold for approximately IDR 162,000 per package—significantly lower than market prices.

Nasir stated that the policy was implemented following increased inflation in Aceh, which was triggered by disruptions to transport connectivity that hindered the distribution of primary food commodities.

He explained that disruptions to distribution routes have significantly impacted commodity availability and driven up prices of essential goods across several regions.

“High inflation in Aceh occurs due to connectivity disruptions affecting the supply chain, particularly for food commodities such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, and other essential goods needed by the public,” he said.

The Aceh provincial government aims for the programme to reach low to middle-income communities so they can continue purchasing food at affordable prices.

Nasir stated that the cheap market operations are being conducted across 23 districts and cities in Aceh, with two activities scheduled per region. However, for 18 districts and cities affected by disasters, the frequency of cheap market operations has been increased to six times to help restore community economic conditions.

“This activity is ensured to continue throughout the year and will not only be carried out during the Ramadhan period,” Nasir said.

He added that the programme represents coordinated efforts among various government agencies to ensure the public has access to food at more affordable prices.

Beyond combating inflation, the cheap food movement is prioritised for areas recently hit by disasters, including West Aceh District, which was affected by hydrometeorological disasters.

The Aceh provincial government hopes the public will utilise the programme optimally, as the food prices offered are significantly cheaper, thereby maintaining purchasing power amid economic pressure.