Food Task Force Ensures Stable Supply and Prices of Basic Materials Ahead of Nyepi and Lebaran
JAKARTA - The government continues to ensure the stability of food supply and prices ahead of Nyepi and Idulfitri 1447 Hijriah. Supervision in the field is strengthened so that the public can obtain basic necessities at reasonable prices and sufficient supplies.
As part of these efforts, the Central Food Price, Safety, and Quality Violations Task Force (Satgas) conducted direct monitoring at the Lemabang Market, Palembang City, South Sumatra.
This monitoring is carried out to ensure that the availability of strategic staple food remains safe and that prices in the market remain under control ahead of the two major religious moments.
The Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization of the National Food Agency, who is also the Head of the Food Task Force I Gusti Ketut Astawa, said that direct monitoring was carried out to see the actual conditions in the field ahead of the national religious holiday.
"This monitoring is important to ensure that food distribution runs smoothly and that stocks remain available in the market. We want to ensure that people can get basic goods at reasonable prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr," said Ketut Astawa in an official statement, Monday, March 9.
According to him, the government continues to strengthen coordination with various parties to maintain the balance of supply and prices at the consumer level. Supervision will also be carried out intensively in various regions.
In addition, the government also strengthened market intervention through the distribution of rice for the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program, cheap food movement, and food distribution facilitation.
Based on the results of field checks, a number of food commodity prices at the Lemabang Market were observed to be relatively stable. The price of red sweet peas ranges from Rp75,000 to Rp85,000 per kilogram (kg), while curly chilies are sold for Rp40,000 to Rp50,000 per kg.
Meanwhile, red onions are recorded at Rp41,000 per kilogram and garlic at Rp38,000 per kilogram. The price of beef is in the range of Rp120,000 to Rp140,000 per kg depending on quality, while chicken meat is sold at around Rp38,000 per kg and broiler eggs at Rp29,000 per kg.
For rice commodities, premium rice is sold at Rp74,000 per five kilograms, while SPHP rice is Rp59,000 per five kilograms. The price of bulk sugar is recorded at Rp17,500 per kilogram and packaged sugar at Rp18,500 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Minyakita cooking oil is sold at around Rp15,700 per liter.
Meanwhile, the Food Task Force of the National Police, Brigjen Pol Zain Dwi Nugroho, said that in general, the food supply at the Lemabang Market is still safe with smooth distribution and the price is mostly in accordance with the Highest Retail Price (HET) and the Sales Reference Price (HAP).
"In general, the supply of basic goods at the Lemabang Market is safe and the price is relatively controlled," said Zain.
He added that the price of red chili was still above the HAP, but is now showing a downward trend.
The Food Task Force also reminded traders and retailers to sell basic commodities in accordance with the HET and HAP that the government has set. The public is also asked to report if they find sales practices above the applicable price provisions.
"If the public finds traders selling basic commodities above HET or HAP, they can report through the Food Task Force hotline so that it can be followed up immediately," said Zain.
On the other hand, Perum Bulog for South Sumatra stated that it was ready to supply SPHP rice and Minyakita cooking oil to traders to maintain price stability in the market.
Bulog also reminded traders to become Bulog partners by completing administrative requirements such as the Business Registration Number (NIB) so that the distribution of food supplies can run more optimally.