Bapanas: Food Task Force Continues to Monitor Markets Post-Eid

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has confirmed that the Task Force for Sweeping Clean Violations of Food Prices, Safety, and Quality (Satgas Saber Pangan) continues to monitor markets following Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah to maintain the stability of stocks and prices of strategic food items. “Post-Eid food price monitoring is being conducted intensively to ensure that food prices remain reasonable and supplies are secure,” said Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilisation at Bapanas and Acting Chair of the Saber Pangan Task Force, I Gusti Ketut Astawa, when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. He explained that supervision is taking place across various regions in Indonesia, including East Jakarta and Bekasi Regency, conducted on the third day after Eid. Ketut stated that overall, the food situation post-Eid is still under control, with sufficient stocks despite some traders yet to resume selling. “Indeed, after Eid, conditions are not yet fully normal. In the field, we continue to monitor prices and check supplies to keep things running,” said Ketut. According to him, some traders have not yet returned to selling, so certain commodities like beef, vegetables, and rice are not yet evenly available. “That situation does affect prices of fresh commodities, which tend to be higher, especially those that depend heavily on daily supply smoothness,” he added. At the Ciracas traditional market in East Jakarta, said Ketut, chilli prices are still recorded above the government’s reference price. The prices are influenced by seasonal production patterns, particularly due to the harvesting holiday during Eid, which has slightly halted supplies from farmers. “But usually, ahead of Eid, they take a harvesting break. If there’s a harvesting break, supplies are usually slightly reduced, causing a slight increase,” he said. Nevertheless, he noted that developments in producing areas are showing positive trends. Chilli prices in Surakarta City as of 24 March were observed to be starting to decrease, with curly red chilli around Rp35,000 per kilogram (kg), red bird’s eye chilli Rp55,000–Rp60,000 per kg, and large red chilli around Rp40,000 per kg. This condition indicates that supplies from production centres in Central Java are beginning to return to normal, which is expected to soon press down prices in consumption areas like Jakarta in the coming days. Furthermore, he reminded that prices in traditional markets are dynamic due to the bargaining system, so the public is encouraged to actively bargain when transacting to get good prices. “And once again, please remember, traditional markets are bargaining markets. So if we buy and shop, asking the price directly is for modern retail. In the market, you have to bargain,” added Ketut. Meanwhile, in modern retail, prices and stocks of food commodities are relatively safe. Premium rice is sold at Rp14,900 per kg, beef at Rp128,900 per kg, chicken eggs at Rp29,700 per kg, and consumption sugar at Rp17,500 per kg. For chilli, prices are in the range of Rp37,500–41,000 per kg. This availability can serve as an alternative for the public amid the not-yet-fully-recovered full activity in traditional markets. Then, in modern retail, SPHP rice is sold at Rp62,500 per 5kg, broiler chicken at Rp34,900 per kg, consumption sugar at Rp17,500 per kg, and garlic at Rp36,500 per kg. The Food Task Force also reminds business actors to sell commodities in accordance with regulations, avoid hoarding, and maintain smooth distribution to keep prices stable at the consumer level. “This is in line with the directives of the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr Andi Amran Sulaiman, who emphasises the importance of maintaining balance between production and smooth distribution as the key to price stability in the field,” said Ketut.