Visit Kramat Jati Market, Trade Minister Lutfhi Finds Bulk Oil Prices Above HET

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi ensured that in the next four days the price of cooking oil in traditional markets will follow the highest retail price (HET) set by the government.

In checking the price and availability of basic necessities at Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta, Lutfi still found that cooking oil was still pegged at a price other than the highest retail price (HET) set by the government.

He gave an example, still found the price of bulk cooking oil is expensive at Rp. 14,000 per liter. In fact, the HET as of February 1, 2022 is set at Rp11,500 per liter.

"We can still see that sometimes bulk oil is still Rp. 14,000, but in the next three to four days, the price will follow from the HET," Lutfi told reporters, Thursday, February 3.

The Ministry of Trade, he continued, has tried to lower the price of cooking oil in traditional markets by pouring out new supplies to mix old goods.

The Ministry of Trade is also still trying to fulfill the stock of premium packaged cooking oil, simple packaging, and bulk in traditional markets throughout Indonesia.

"This is a large country from Sabang to Merauke, so we are trying to enter the traditional market, especially for bulk oil according to the price. Now this is a blending process," he said.

Lutfi is optimistic that the price of cooking oil in traditional markets will soon fall according to the HET because based on the results of his review of a number of food stalls at Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta.

"Today, prices have dropped," he said.

According to Lutfi, the stock of various packaged cooking oil at Kramat Jati Market is safe and will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure smooth cooking oil distribution.

"Later I will go to the factory with the factory owner to make sure that the CPO (raw palm) is going well. So that the factories can distribute it through distribution channels," he said.