Control food prices as Trade Minister maximises market monitoring system for essential goods

Kita will ensure we anticipate quickly if there are regions where prices are rising; we will immediately coordinate with suppliers and the food task force. Makassar, ANTARA - Trade Minister Budi Santoso said his ministry is maximising the Market Monitoring System for Basic Needs (SP2KP) to curb food prices ahead of Idul Fitri 1447 H.

“SP2KP is updated daily to track price developments, so we can quickly anticipate if prices rise in a particular area, and we will immediately coordinate with suppliers and the food task force,” the minister said as he inspected prices and availability at Pasar Terong, Makassar, on Wednesday.

He explained that the Ministry of Trade, together with regional heads and all local government apparatus up to suppliers, will continue to communicate via SP2KP.

“The system we have will identify which markets in which areas are experiencing increases. If there is a rise, we will promptly intervene and coordinate with the local government components and with suppliers,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the ministry will continue to coordinate with local governments and supplier distributors. This is expected to help keep food prices and stock levels stable.

“Yesterday we held a coordination meeting with regional governments across Indonesia and with distributors (in an effort to control prices),” he said.

Regarding today's visit to a traditional market, the minister, accompanied by South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, said that overall food prices and stock levels remained stable.

“We checked prices earlier; they are reasonable — eggs at Rp30,000 and chicken at Rp38,000, even though the ceiling price (HET) is Rp41,000. That is good,” he said.