Food Coordinator Minister Assures Adequate Food Supply Through Eid al-Fitr

Jakarta – Food Coordinator Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has assured that food availability during Ramadan through Eid al-Fitr remains adequate with prices remaining relatively controlled.

“Food stocks from fasting through Eid are more than sufficient. Available and affordable,” said Zulhas following a coordination meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that several food commodities experienced price increases, such as chilli and eggs, but these remain controlled and within government-set benchmark prices.

“Some items have risen in price, chilli for instance, but have recently tended to decline. Eggs as well, but still within benchmark prices,” he stated.

Zulhas also assured that the Middle Eastern conflict has not impacted domestic food availability as Indonesia does not rely on food imports from that region.

“The Middle Eastern conflict regarding food has not affected us because we have no food imports whatsoever from the Middle East,” he said.

Beyond stabilising prices, the government is also promoting increased domestic food production to anticipate potential disruptions to global oil supplies.

He added that the government is preparing several food production development projects including fish ponds, biofloc systems, and layer chicken and broiler chicken development.

The government had previously planned to construct large-scale fish ponds covering approximately 20,000 hectares across Java, as well as developing ponds across 500 municipalities and cities. The programme is further strengthened by plans to build approximately 2,000 Red-and-White Fishing Villages by 2026.

“The President’s order is that our food production must continue increasing. This year we will undertake major construction for protein,” said Zulhas.

Based on data from the National Strategic Food Price Information Centre (PIHPS) compiled by Bank Indonesia, average prices of several food commodities at the provincial level on Wednesday showed relative fluctuations.

Medium-sized shallot prices were recorded at approximately Rp43,300 per kilogram, declining 0.92 percent compared to the previous day, whilst medium-sized garlic was around Rp40,000 per kg, down 0.62 percent.

Rice prices remained relatively stable, with medium-quality grade I rice at approximately Rp15,950 per kg, up 0.31 percent from the previous day, whilst medium-quality grade II rice remained at Rp15,800 per kg.

Meanwhile, average large red chilli prices were around Rp44,850 per kg, up 4.18 percent from the previous day, and curly red chilli was approximately Rp44,500 per kg, up 0.91 percent.

Green bird’s eye chilli was around Rp54,650 per kg, up 5 percent, whilst red bird’s eye chilli was approximately Rp82,850 per kg, up 6.77 percent compared to the previous day.

For other commodities, fresh broiler chicken was recorded at approximately Rp41,550 per kg, up 0.24 percent, broiler chicken eggs at approximately Rp32,850 per kg, up 0.92 percent, and premium sugar at approximately Rp19,900 per kg, up 0.25 percent compared to the previous day.