National Food Agency conducts surprise inspection on staple prices in East Lombok

East Lombok (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) team, together with the East Lombok District’s Clean Sweep Task Force on Price, Food Security and Quality Violations in West Nusa Tenggara, conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) of staple food prices in traditional markets as part of efforts to anticipate price increases during Ramadan.

“This is a control measure; the team undertook various efforts, issuing warnings to traders selling staple goods above the Maximum Retail Price (HET),” said Rinna Syawal, Director of Food Control and Monitoring at Bapanas RI, during the inspection at Pancor Market in East Lombok on Saturday.

She stated that the activity was carried out pursuant to the Bapanas Head’s Circular Letter 01/2026 concerning the Clean Sweep Task Force on Price, Food Security and Quality Violations for 2026.

The team monitored various stalls and shops, including traditional markets, to check prices of essential staple commodities such as rice, chicken, beef, spices, oil, sugar and eggs.

The price monitoring results for staple goods showed: premium rice at IDR 14,500 per kilogramme, medium rice at IDR 13,500 per kilogramme, shallots at IDR 35,000 per kilogramme, garlic at IDR 34,000 per kilogramme, red bird’s eye chilli at IDR 90,000 per kilogramme, curly red chilli at IDR 40,000 per kilogramme, and loose granulated sugar at IDR 17,000 per kilogramme.

For other items: beef at IDR 130,000 per kilogramme, hen eggs at IDR 26,000 per kilogramme, broiler chicken at IDR 40,000 per kilogramme, and Minyakita cooking oil at IDR 15,700 per litre.

“The team found that red bird’s eye chilli prices were still above the Reference Sales Price (HAP). This condition is driven by high demand amid limited supply due to declining production,” she said.

She stated that weather factors such as strong winds and rain causing crop failures have also affected the availability of these commodities.

Additionally, some retailers were still found selling Minyakita cooking oil above the Maximum Retail Price (HET).

“After clarification, it was discovered that the cooking oil was Minyakita packaged product purchased outside Bulog,” she said.

Her office recommended that traders become Bulog partners regarding Minyakita distribution so that it can be sold in accordance with the HET.

“We hope the local government will place informational banners displaying HET prices for commodities in markets as a form of price transparency,” she said.

The local government, together with related agencies, remains committed to maintaining price stability and ensuring the availability of staple goods to protect public purchasing power.

“We will continue to intensively monitor staple food prices,” she said.