Blusukan To Sorong Market In Papua, Trade Minister Zulhas Ensures That The Supply Of Basic Materials Is Sufficient And Prices Stable

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that the supply of basic necessities (Bapok) is sufficient at prices that tend to be stable. So, the public can face Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 comfortably and smoothly.

This affirmation was conveyed by Zulhas as Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan's nickname while visiting the Central Remu Market in Sorong City, West Papua today (Wednesday, December 21).

"Rice, cooking oil, onions, eggs, chicken, and meat sold at the Central Remu Market in Sorong City are stable standards. So, hopefully Christmas and New Year will run smoothly, basic commodities will be available and prices will not increase, aka stable," Zulhas said in a written statement.

To suppress the inflation rate in Papua, said Zulhas, one of the efforts that must be made is to maintain basic supply so that it remains sufficient.

"To reduce the rate of inflation in Papua, efforts must be made, namely the supply of goods is sufficient and sent using sea toll roads," he said.

Based on observations, the price of basic necessities tends to be stable compared to the previous month. However, there are several commodities that experienced an increase, such as broiler eggs from Rp. 31,000 per kg to Rp. 39,000 per kg, and large red chilies from Rp. 37,500 per kg to Rp. 42,500 per kg.

The price of medium rice was recorded at Rp. 12,000 per kg, Bulog medium rice at Rp. 10,000 per kg, premium rice at Rp. 13,000 per kg, sugar at Rp. 14,000 per kg, cooking oil for oil packaging oil at Rp. 14,000 per liter, premium packaged cooking oil at Rp. 25,000 per liter.

Meanwhile, flour Rp. 14,000 per kg, beef Rp. 140,000 per kg, chicken Rp. 40,000 per kg, curly chilies Rp. 42,500 per kg, cayenne pepper Rp. 90,000 per kg, shallots Rp. 52,500 per kg, and garlic Rp. 37,500 per kg.

Facing Christmas and the new year, the Ministry of Trade has taken several steps to maintain price stability of basic goods. The success of this step is reflected in the continued sloping inflation control. In November 2022, monthly inflation was recorded at 5.41 percent, down from October which was recorded at 5.71 percent.

The control of volatile food sector inflation has also shown positive results by recording deflation for four consecutive months since last August. Controlled inflation shows the government's efforts to control inflation show positive results.

Previously, the government held a national coordination meeting to discuss Christmas and New Year's preparations. At the National Coordination Meeting, it was revealed that in general, the prices of basic necessities were stable and the supply was sufficient.

The Ministry of Trade has coordinated with the Regional Government, especially the Office in charge of trading to optimize optimizing the APBD for activities: transportation subsidies, low-cost market/market operations. In addition, the Regional Government is asked to go down to markets and distributors to ensure the smooth flow of logistics for basic goods.