Pressing Disparity In Bulk Cooking Oil Prices In Eastern Indonesia, Trade Minister Zulhas Immediately Distributes Oilita Rp. 14,000 Per Liter

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Minister of Trade) Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) revealed that simple packaged cooking oil or Oilita will be launched in the near future. Oil is a government-owned trademark that can later be used by state-owned or private producers.

Oil is a bulk cooking oil that is packaged in simple packaging. This oil will be priced at Rp. 14,000 per liter or Rp. 15,500 per kilogram (Kg).

"Tomorrow we will launch packaged oil," he said, at Ciracas Market, East Jakarta, Tuesday, July 5.

Zulhas as Zulkifli Hasan said, the average price of bulk cooking oil is IDR 14,000 per liter in Java, Sumatra and Bali. Meanwhile, the national average price is around Rp. 15,000 per liter.

Furthermore, Zulhas explained that this was because the price of bulk cooking oil in a number of areas in eastern Indonesia such as Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua was still around Rp. 20,000 per liter.

The price difference is due to logistical problems. So far, bulk cooking oil to eastern Indonesia still uses large storage containers weighing one tonne for each tank.

This makes distribution of cooking oil to islands and highlands quite difficult. "Shipping costs are expensive. Moreover, oil is heavy, one ton is expensive," he explained.

Therefore, Zulhas said with the presence of Oilita, it is hoped that it will expand the reach of cooking oil in the community. Especially the East Indonesia region.

"That's why we will try later, Rp. 14,000 of oil, we will pack it in simple packaging, maybe it will be cheaper, easier, so that later flying far to Sulawesi, Papua, Maluku can be cheaper than now, on average, Rp. 20,000," he said.

There are already 28 Producers

On the same occasion, the Director of Basic and Important Materials of the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim revealed that so far there have been 28 cooking oil producers who are ready to produce Oilita.

Isy is optimistic that the number of producers interested in producing Oilita will continue to grow. This is because the government will provide incentives for producers who participate in the program.

The incentives are given for government compensation because the packaging costs are charged to each business actor. Even so, Isy does not want to reveal the incentives in detail because they are still waiting for the enactment of the regulation in question.

"There are regulations, just waiting for them to be promulgated," said Isy.