Food prices increase

JAKARTA: The price of vegetables, staple foods and meat here have slightly increased and will likely have increased more by the end of the fasting month.

Vendors at the Kramat Jati central market in East Jakarta said that the price of potatoes had increased from Rp 3,500 to Rp 4,000 per kilogram (kg), while the price of cabbages had increased from Rp 1,100 to Rp 1,800 per kg. A kilogram of mustard greens, which used to be Rp 1,500, is now Rp 2,000.

On Tuesday, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, chief of the State Logistics Agency Widjanarko Puspoyo and Director General of Domestic Trade Teddy Setiadi inspected the market, as well as the Senen market in Central Jakarta, and the city slaughterhouse in Cakung, East Jakarta.

The inspection was aimed at examining the stock, price, distribution and problems that traders were encountering.

Teddy said that the prices would likely continue to rise by the end of the fasting month as traders would be expected to leave for their hometowns to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday.

During the inspection, which took place at 5:15 a.m., the traders also complained about the illegal levies imposed by hoodlums in the distribution chain, which also contributed to the price hikes.--JP