Zulhas Asks Entrepreneurs To Immediately Import Garlic: Already Giving Permission, If Not Done We Will Penalti

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Mendag Zulhas) asked garlic entrepreneurs to immediately realize imports because import permits from the Ministry of Trade had been issued.

Zulhas said the national garlic stock began to decrease, causing price increases in a number of areas.

"The garlic went up a bit, that's why we gave the import permit earlier. We will check, if it has not been done, we will get a penalty," said Zulhas as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 30.

Meanwhile, the Director of Basic Needs and Important Goods of the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) Bambang Wisnubroto said that his party continues to encourage entrepreneurs to immediately carry out the assignment of garlic imports.

Bambang said there were no obstacles in the supply chain distribution process from China.

Therefore, garlic imports must be realized immediately to reduce prices in the market.

"The information we received from there (China) was safe, there were no obstacles, although there was indeed a slight increase there, but the importer said it was safe. It was only the realization that we boosted," said Bambang.

Based on data from the Ministry of Trade as of April 26, 2024, the national retail price of garlic for Grade A (Kating) is IDR 46,400 per kilogram (up 8.41 percent), Grade B (Honan) IDR 45,300 per kilogram (up 4.62 percent), while the price of the parent market Grade A is IDR 41,200 per kilogram (up 8.71 percent), Grade B IDR 36,300 per kilogram (up 9.34 percent).

Of the total permits for garlic imports that have been issued, namely 244,194 tons, only 102,950 tons or 42.2 percent have been realized.

Meanwhile, of the total import allocation for a year of 645,025 tons, only 15.9 percent was realized.