REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian Ministry of Trade issues import license for 92 garlic importers amid garlic's rocketing price. The license allows the importers to import garlic up to 134,600 tonnes or 84.15 percent from total need of garlic in January-June.

Director General of Foreign Trade, Bachrul Chairi, said the license would add garlic supplies in modern and traditional markets. "In the end, it will help curbing garlic price," he said on Wednesday. 

The ministry also cooperated with some city administrations for distribution in Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Belawan Port in Medan, Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar and Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya. "This cooperation is important to ensure the availability of the products," he said.

The prices of garlic and shallot are increasing significantly and contributing to inflation in February 2013. The prices increase 31.38 percent compared to January. It contributes 0.12 percent to February inflation.

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