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)