Food prices increase

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