Soaring prices hit food stall business

TANGERANG (JP): Skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs due to the economic crisis are taking a chunk out of the business of food stall owners as customers closely watch their expenses.

The fall in the number of diners, most of whom are bus or truck drivers and construction workers, is apparently caused by their inability to pay the higher prices.

"My business is flat," said Darti, who operates a food stall on Jl. Daan Mogot.

Darti said she was confused by the fluctuating prices of foodstuffs, including rice, meat, eggs and cooking oil.

"I'm forced to bring with me at least Rp 200,000 (US$16.6) when I go to the market to buy the ingredients."

The amount of money is significant because it is equivalent to the monthly regional minimum wage for a factory worker in Greater Jakarta.

Marejem, who runs a stall on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan II, said she had to spend Rp 180,000 for 100 kilograms of good quality rice alone.

"I only buy half a kilogram of meat nowadays for fear that it will not sell well," she said.

Sumini, another food stall owner, said she had given up thoughts of collecting profits. Maintaining the present number of customers at her stall would be enough, she added.

"If I can still get my working capital back in my pocket and I'm not bankrupt, thank God. How can I think of profits in this condition? If I have to close my business, what should I do then?" she said.

"My food used to be sold out before 1 p.m. Now, it is still available late in the evening." (41/ivy)