Trade Minister stresses importance of chicken prices aligning with reference price

Trade Minister Budi Santoso has stressed the importance of keeping broiler chicken prices in line with the reference price so that farmers can continue production and consumers can obtain the product at a fair price. While monitoring prices and availability of staple goods at Pasar Ir. Soekarno in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Thursday, Budi said that prices that remain too low over the long term could cause farmers to incur losses and reduce production. Such conditions could ultimately affect supply availability, which would then influence prices at the consumer level.

“Chicken meat was being sold at Rp40,000 per kilogram and some at Rp42,000. The reference price for chicken meat is indeed Rp40,000. We see that the price condition is relatively stable because it is still around the reference price, and the quality of the chicken is also good. Eggs are actually low, in the range of Rp23,000 to Rp25,000 per kilogram, while the reference price is Rp30,000,” Budi said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to Budi, the reference price represents a balance point between the interests of producers and consumers. Prices that are too low can squeeze producers, while prices that are too high can burden consumers. Therefore, the government is working to maintain prices at a balanced level so that production activities continue and people’s purchasing power is preserved.

“We expect prices at the consumer level to be in line with or close to the established reference price. Producers do not lose money and can continue production, while consumers also get prices that match their purchasing power. The ideal price must bring together the interests of both,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Budi also found that various staple commodities sold at Pasar Ir. Soekarno were relatively close to their reference prices and stable. Garlic was sold at Rp38,000 per kilogram, in line with the sales reference price, while bird’s eye chillies were Rp45,000 per kilogram compared with a reference price of Rp57,000 per kilogram.

Based on monitoring, medium-grade rice was recorded at Rp13,000 per kilogram and premium rice at Rp15,000 per kilogram. Granulated sugar was Rp17,000 per kilogram, bulk cooking oil Rp18,000 per litre, Minyakita cooking oil Rp15,700 per litre, premium cooking oil Rp22,000 per litre, and wheat flour Rp12,000 per kilogram.

Beef was recorded at Rp140,000 per kilogram, curly red chillies at Rp35,000 per kilogram, large red chillies at Rp40,000 per kilogram, shallots at Rp28,000 per kilogram, honan garlic at Rp33,000 per kilogram, and kating garlic at Rp38,000 per kilogram.

In maintaining price stability, the Ministry of Trade consistently monitors prices daily through the Market Monitoring System for Staple Goods. There are currently 514 market monitoring officers spread across Indonesia to track the development of staple goods prices in public markets.

Budi also encouraged the public and traders to report if prices do not match the reference price or if there are supply problems. “If there is anything above the reference price, we will immediately intervene and coordinate with local governments to ensure supply. If there is a price increase or a supply shortage, tell us so we can coordinate,” Budi concluded.