Trade Minister: Essential commodity prices remain stable following disaster ahead of Eid al-Fitr
Trade Minister Budi Santoso, accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, inspected traditional and modern markets in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra on Friday, confirming that market activity has returned to normal following the disaster that struck the city in late November 2025.
“Everything is already running normally, the market is very busy. We saw the visitors ourselves,” Budi stated after his inspection.
The delegation conducted a comprehensive review of food supply availability across the disaster-affected region during the holy month of Ramadhan, examining stock levels at both retail level in traditional and modern markets, as well as at distributor operations in Tebing Tinggi.
The minister verified prices for various essential commodities including vegetables, red chillies, shallots, chicken, beef, eggs, rice, cooking oil, sugar, and other basic necessities. The recorded prices were as follows: chicken at IDR 35,500 per kilogramme, eggs at IDR 27,000 per kilogramme, beef at IDR 130,000 per kilogramme, shallots and garlic at IDR 35,000 per kilogramme.
“Gambir Market in Tebing Tinggi is one of the markets affected by the disaster in late November 2025,” Budi explained.
The Trade Minister emphasised that the central government, working alongside provincial and municipal authorities, is committed to ensuring that economic activity returns to normal operations. He confirmed that essential commodity prices remain relatively stable and do not exceed maximum retail price (HET) limits.
Beyond conducting price inspections, the Trade Minister purchased vegetables, chicken, eggs, rice, and cooking oil from market traders at Gambir Market, which he subsequently distributed free of charge to residents. Local residents responded enthusiastically to the aid distribution.
“I would like to thank Tebing Tinggi City Government and North Sumatra Provincial Government for maintaining price stability and ensuring food stock availability during Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr. We hope there will be no price increases,” Budi remarked.
Nurjannah, a Tebing Tinggi resident, expressed gratitude for the central government’s visit and attention to the affected community. She received a five-kilogramme packet of rice from the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation Programme (SPHP) and one litre of cooking oil.
“Thank you Minister and Deputy Governor for visiting our market. Thank you for the assistance; these essential goods are truly helpful to us,” she said.