Cost of basic goods up significantly

JAKARTA (JP): The cost of basic commodities in the capital has risen significantly over the past fortnight, a consequence of delivery problems following recent floods and mass protests in several provinces.

Head of city-owned PD Pasar Jaya Syahril Tanjung said on Friday that the price of basic goods had been increasing incrementally, with tomatoes incurring the highest rise at 86 percent.

Syahril warned that any respite from the inflationary trend may not be immediately forthcoming.

"We predict that the increase of market prices will continue until the end of March. However, the rise is still considered affordable for residents," Syahril asserted without any further qualification of the claim.

Syahril said floods which had inundated the Merak-Jakarta toll road, and outbreaks of mob violence in East Java had hampered the delivery of fresh vegetables and rice.

Data from the City Economy Development Office reveal that the price of basic goods, such as rice, meat, vegetables, kerosene and eggs, had risen by between one percent and three percent.

The market price of tomatoes suffered the highest increase, rising from Rp 1,990 per kilogram to Rp 3,800 per kilogram.

The market price of red onions increased from Rp 6,045 per kilogram to Rp 8,800 per kilo.

Similarly coconuts rose from Rp 1,750 each to Rp 2,000 each.

In terms of supply, the city is now experiencing a shortage of red onion stocks. There are only three tons of red onion stocks remaining, which has decreased from 7.7 tons in recent weeks.

Rice, a staple food for most Indonesians, has risen slightly from Rp 2,200 per kilo to Rp 2,300 per kilo, while carrot prices also rose from Rp 2,615 per kilo to Rp 2,875 per kilo.

Other significant reductions in supply are affecting the availability of innards, goat and sheep meats, and also some fruits, such as apples and grapes. (07)