Holding An Inspection, TPID Finds Chili Prices At Pangkalpinang Market Up Ahead Of Ramadan Fasting

Acting Assistant II of the Regional Secretariat of the Province of the Babylon Islands Darlan (left) together with the Head of the Economy Bureau of the Babylon Islands while leading the inspection at Pagi Pangkalpinang Market, Thursday. (ANTARA/HO-Mega)

PANGKALPINANG - Regional Infiberation Control Team (TPID) of Bangka Belitung Islands Province said the price of curly chilies and cayenne pepper at Pangkalpinang City Market has increased due to increasing public demand ahead of Ramadan this year.

"The price of chili has increased, while the prices of other staples are still relatively stable," said Acting Assistant II of the Babel Islands Provincial Secretariat Darlan while leading the inspection at Pagi Pangkalpinang Market, Antara, Thursday, February 27.

Inspection results in a number of traditional and modern markets in Pangkalpinang City found that the price of cayenne pepper rose to Rp. 105.000 from the previous price of Rp. 70,000 to Rp. 75,000 per kilogram.

Likewise, the price of curly red chili rose to the range of Rp. 85,000 to Rp. 90,000 per kilogram from the previous price of Rp. 80,000 per kilogram, as public demand increased to welcome the fasting month of Ramadan which is estimated to start on Saturday (1/3).

"From today's inspection, only chilies have increased significantly, while the prices of other staples such as cooking oil, beef, chicken, rice and others are still relatively stable," he said.

Head of the Economic Bureau of the Babel Islands Provincial Secretariat, Ahmad Yani, said that chili demand ahead of Ramadan fasting has increased, resulting in an impact on commodity prices.

"We will immediately increase the stock, so that the prices of basic commodities for the community will stabilize again," he said.

According to him, the price of this staple may continue to rise until Eid al-Fitr later, because the increasing demand from the community is to welcome this religious holiday.

"It is possible that this price will continue to rise until Eid. Therefore, we will go down to markets to ensure that the stock of basic commodities is always sufficient to meet the demands of the community to welcome fasting and Eid this year," he said.