Food prices fluctuate after festive season

JAKARTA (JP): Prices of several basic food commodities in traditional markets have headed in different directions since the Idul Fitri holiday due to problems in supply.

In the past two days, prices of beef, eggs and chili continued to go up at the city's major Cikini and Senen markets in Central Jakarta. But the cost of others, including chicken and vegetables, dropped slightly.

Several other foodstuffs, such as the various grades of rice, remained stable, probably due to slow business as many Jakartans have only just returned from trips to their hometowns for Idul Fitri.

Different types of chilies have soared in price in recent days.

Curly chili was Rp 25,000 per kilogram from Rp 15,200 a week before Idul Fitri.

Green chili showed the same upward trend, almost doubling to Rp 13,000 per kilogram.

The price of beef rose by Rp 3,000 per kilogram to between Rp 28,000 and Rp 30,000.

Eggs at the two markets increased by Rp 500 per kilogram to Rp 9,000.

Bucking the trend was chicken, down slightly from Rp 13,600 to Rp 12,500. Several types of vegetables also registered the downward trend.

Traders said the high prices of chilies and eggs was due to suppliers, who claimed to have spent more time on the crowded roads to Jakarta.

"Besides, the price rise was also ignited by the farmers, who decided to temporarily stop their business to celebrate Idul Fitri," said Mardji, head of the traders' cooperatives at Cikini.

He said demand for meat fell in recent days.

"I think people had spent enough money for beef before and during the Idul Fitri holiday."

Customers complained soaring prices of some foodstuffs, particularly chilies, caused them to take some of their family's favorite dishes off the menu.

"Even green chilies already cost me a bomb. But my husband complains all the time since I no longer make good food for him," housewife Desi of Kramat subdistrict said.

Housemaid Inem, who works for a family near the Kenari market, said traders would not back down on prices.

"It is no use. My female employer gets angry every day when I ask for more money for the market." (ylt)