Food prices soar to new highs

Food prices soar to new highs

JAKARTA (JP): Prices of several essential commodities soared
to new highs yesterday following the government's recent decision
to increase fuel and transport tariffs.

Traders in major markets reported that sugar, wheat flour,
cooking oil and sweet potato were particularly affected.

In Klender market, East Jakarta, the price of sugar rose yet
again, from Rp 2,400/kg three days ago to Rp 2,600/kg, Antara
reported.

The price of wheat flour rose from Rp 2,100/kg to Rp 2,250/kg,
sweet potato from Rp 2,200/kg to Rp 2,500/kg, and lower grade
cooking oil from Rp 4,000/kg to Rp 4,400/kg.

Prices of other foodstuffs did not increase although they
remained high. Onions now cost Rp 8,000/kg, eggs Rp 5,200/kg,
peanuts Rp 10,000/kg, emping (crackers made of gnetum gnemon
fruit) Rp 10,000/kg, brown sugar Rp 4,400/kg, mung beans Rp
5,500/kg, tomatoes Rp 5,000/kg, and chili Rp 5,500/kg.

Ida, a 45-year-old trader at Rawamangun market, said there was
no way prices of basic commodities would decrease. On the
contrary, she predicted they would continue to creep up if the
situation did not improve.

Prices of basic commodities have steadily increased since
Indonesia sank into deep crisis last July.

Recently, the government increased the prices of fuels by
between 25 percent and 72 percent and electricity tariffs by 20
percent. (pan)