Prices of basic commodities remain high

Prices of basic commodities remain high

JAKARTA (JP): More than 10 days after the Idul Fitri and
Christmas celebrations, the prices of most basic commodities have
yet to come down significantly, largely because many of the big
suppliers are still closed for the long holidays.

Shoppers and shopkeepers at Perumnas Klender market in East
Jakarta, Pasar Minggu market in South Jakarta and Pasar Koja
market in North Jakarta said on Saturday that they have not seen
significant changes in the prices of meat, chicken, and
vegetables.

Prices rose markedly in the second half of December as people
prepared to celebrate Christmas, Idul Fitri and the New Year.

The Central Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday that the
consumer price index rose by 1.94 percent in December alone --
the highest monthly inflation figure of 2000 -- mostly due to
higher food prices.

Diah, a shopper in Perumnas Klender market on Saturday, said
she had just bought a chicken for Rp 13,500 per kilogram,
compared to Rp 10,000 before Idul Fitri.

Feri, a vendor at Perumnas Klender market, recalled that
chicken prices rose as high as Rp 15,000 per kg before Idul
Fitri. He said he could not lower his prices as long as the
slaughterhouse in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, from where he bought
his chickens, continued to charge the higher price.

Beef prices have come down slightly but not to the pre-holiday
level.

Irwan, who runs a butchers shop at Perumnas Klender market,
was selling beef at Rp 30,000 per kg, compared to Rp 35,000-
38,000 during the holiday period.

He said prices remained high because the city-owned Cakung
slaughterhouse in East Jakarta, from where he buys his meat, has
limited supplies. "I guess the price will not decline until the
end of this month," he said.

Chicken eggs are about the only commodity to defy the trend.

Slamet, an egg vendor at Perumnas Klender market, was selling
eggs at Rp 5,500 a kg, compared to Rp 9,000-9,500 in the week
before Idul Fitri.

Prices of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, cooking oil, and
other basic needs have also yet to return to their normal levels.

Tati, who runs a kiosk at Perumnas Klender market, said many
vendors at Kramatjati main market, from where she gets her
vegetables, were still closed. "Stocks are very limited. That's
why prices are still high," she said.

She was selling onions for Rp 6,500 per kg compared to Rp
7,000 during the Idul Fitri holiday, tomatoes for Rp 2,000 per
kg, Rp 500 cheaper than at Idul Fitri, and potatoes for Rp 3,000
per kg, also Rp 500 less.

The only commodity whose price has fallen significantly in her
kiosk is chili peppers, at Rp 8,000 per kg compared to Rp 14,000
previously.

The prices of sugar, beans, and cooking oil have all remained
relatively stable throughout the holiday, according to Budi, who
runs a grocery store at Perumnas Klender.

He was selling sugar for around Rp 3,600 per kg, groundnuts
for Rp 7,000 per kg, and cooking oil for Rp 3,000 per kg. (04)