Staple foods prices stable

JAKARTA (Antara): The prices of nine staple foods in the capital city remained stable yesterday, four days before the Idul Fitri festivities.

In Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta, some traders predicted the demand for a number of food stuffs would rise tomorrow and Saturday.

Meat and mutton prices in several markets still range between Rp 13,000 and Rp 14,000 per kg.

Red chili prices however have shown a sharp increase, from Rp 3,500 per kg early this week to Rp 6,000 yesterday.

Sources at City Hall said demand for chicken and eggs on Idul Fitri eve was likely to increase by about 30 percent.

The city needs about 400 tons of chicken and 400 tons of eggs per day. The regular price of chicken is Rp 4,500 per kg, although it is sold at about Rp 5,000 to Rp 6,000 per kg.

The price of eggs meanwhile has increased from Rp 2,500 per kg to Rp 3,000 per kg.

The sources also said the daily need for meat in Jakarta had increased by 10 percent during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Normally, Jakarta needs some 137 tons of meat per day and it sold at an average price of Rp 12,500 per kg.

But the price of meat in some markets had increased to between Rp 14,000 and Rp 16,000 per kg, they added.

In the run up to Idul Fitri, Jakarta's demand for vegetables, fruit, and spices is expected to increase by 10 percent.

Jakarta now needs some 1,500 tons of vegetables, 68 tons of onions, and 480 tons of fruit a day.