REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman made an impromptu observation visit to the Kramat Jati Wholesale Market on Monday to check the stocks of several commodities such as rice, shallots, and chili.
"The stocks of rice, shallots, and chili are adequate. The peak of shallot production is in June and July," the minister stated at the end of the visit.
He affirmed that his ministry has also coordinated with the trade ministry and the state-owned logistics board (Bulog) in an effort to anticipate hikes in the prices of essential items in the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.
Minister Sulaiman stated that he will continue to monitor the prices of basic food commodities and to minimize imports, particularly of shallots, as there would be surplus stocks.
"The rice price in February increased 30 percent to Rp12 thousand. But, thanks to our coordination, we can lower the price and make it stable," he emphasized.
He remarked that imports will harm the farmers' interests, as they will face difficulties since imports will lower the prices at home.
The minister said that his side will also collaborate with the Food Resilience Agency to conduct field inspections twice a day to monitor the prices of essential food commodities.
Currently, the average price of shallots is Rp28,667 per kilogram; garlic, at Rp16.3 thousand per kilogram; red cayenne pepper, at Rp16,167 per kilogram; green cayenne pepper, at Rp13,333 per kilogram.
The price of jumbo red chili is Rp20,667 per kilogram and curly red chili at Rp18,833 per kilogram.
"The price of rice is also secure. We have checked it in the traditional market. Its price is about Rp seven to eight thousand per kilogram. Basically, the prices of these commodities are still stable," the minister pointed out.
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