Reduced Stock, Rice Prices In North Gorontalo Observed To Rise

Rice commodities in Kwandang traditional market, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province. (ANTARA/Susanti Sako)

Today's rice price has been observed rising in a number of traditional markets in North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, which has increased in the range of IDR 400 to IDR 1,000 per kilogram.

Rice sellers at Kwandang traditional market, Salma (55) in Gorontalo, Saturday, said the price of medium rice rose from Rp13,000 to Rp14,000 per kilogram.

However, there is also premium rice which was previously sold for Rp. 13,000 per kilogram, up to Rp. 14,000 per kilogram. Like the Pandan Wangi type.

Premium rice rose from IDR 14,600 to IDR 15,000 per kilogram.

The price increase occurred at the farmer level because the stock was reduced. "We traders are forced to adjust the selling price," said Salma.

Harun Irham (43) said the same thing. According to him, the increase in rice occurred because of the reduced stock in rice warehouses.

"Recently, fellow traders have to fight because at the farmer level there is an increase in demand, as a result, the stock will decrease," he said.

Local resident, Yulin Mataulani hopes that rice prices will not continue to experience price spikes.

"The high price of rice certainly makes us panic. Because my children are only used to eating rice," he said. Meanwhile, the income of my husband as a laborer has decreased during this dry season.

Luckily, there is still 10 kilo grams of rice assistance from the government which is distributed through the Gorontalo Provincial Social Service per family head.

"But if the aid stock runs out, of course, the condition of the increase in rice prices is very burdensome," he also said.

Head of the North Gorontalo Trade and MSME Industry Cooperative Service Grace Mangosa said that her party continues to monitor the movement of available rice prices and stocks.

"Several rice-producing areas in this district, including in Biau District while the harvest season. We hope this condition can stabilize prices," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, October 14.

His party also continues to report stock availability and price movements to the Gorontalo Provincial Government.

"Every beginning of the week we continue to report this condition to the provincial government, especially regarding commodity price movements," he said.