Market Traders Predict Food Prices Ahead Of Christmas Rising To 75 Percent

JAKARTA - The Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Market Traders Association (IKAPPI) predicts an increase in food prices by 75 percent ahead of Christmas and New Year.

"We all know that we will face Christmas and New Year, we predict that there will be an increase in food prices of up to 75 percent," said IKAPPI DPP Chairman Abdullah Mansuri as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, December 8.

Abdullah said that currently there has been no increase in demand for some of these commodities. The increase was influenced by less production.

High demand for food commodities will occur on three days to a week before Christmas and only end after the New Year.

He asked the government to anticipate so that the prices of basic goods do not increase sharply.

"We ask the government to make efforts so that at Christmas and New Year some commodities are not too high," Abdullah said.

Meanwhile, the Strategic Food Price Information Center (PIHPS) noted that on Friday, December 8, the national average price for medium-sized shallots was IDR 33,500 per kilogram, medium-sized garlic was IDR 37,850 per kilogram, medium-II quality rice was IDR 14,750 per kilogram, medium-II quality rice was IDR 14,550 per kilogram.

Then, large red chilies Rp77,700 per kilogram, curly red chilies Rp76,150 per kilogram, green cayenne pepper Rp67,200 per kilogram, red cayenne pepper Rp97,950 per kilogram, fresh chicken meat Rp35,600 per kilogram, quality beef I Rp138,050 per kilogram, and quality beef II Rp129,200 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, local sugar was recorded at IDR 17,950 per kilogram, bulk cooking oil IDR 15,350 per kilogram, packaged cooking oil IDR 20,850 per kilogram, and fresh chicken eggs IDR 29,100 per kilogram.