Dollar Surges, Staple Food Prices in Purwokerto Skyrocket

The prices of several staple foods at Pasar Manis in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, have experienced increases. One contributing factor is the weakening of the rupiah’s exchange rate against the US dollar. A vegetable trader, Anjar, stated that the price of garlic has now reached Rp45,000 per kilogram, having risen gradually from a previous price of Rp30,000 per kilogram. “Garlic is an imported commodity. So when the dollar strengthens, the price of garlic goes up as well,” he said. In addition to garlic, he noted that the price of shallots has also increased and currently stands at Rp60,000 per kilogram. However, the rise in shallot prices is not due to the weakening rupiah but rather a lack of supply from farmers. “Information from wholesalers indicates that shallot farmers in Brebes are experiencing crop failure. If any are able to harvest, the produce is immediately purchased in cash by large traders from Jakarta,” he explained.