Trade Minister Zulhas Calls The Increase In Rice Prices Contributing To Inflation Quite High

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

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said rice prices currently have a big contribution to inflation compared to other commodities.

In fact, he said, currently the increase has reached Rp1,000 per kilogram (kg) in the market.

"Towards Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, which contributed to inflation, namely rice, sir, we have not succeeded in reducing this rice to this day. In fact, it tends to increase. And this increase is not small, sir, it is more than 1,000," he said in a meeting with Commission VI of the DPR, written Thursday, March 16.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that although the data shows Indonesia has a surplus, the fact is that the price of unhulled rice in the market has now reached Rp. 6,000 per kg.

"Rp6,000 is not necessarily possible, then the medium (rice) at the factory is already above Rp. 9,000 (per kilogram)," he said.

Therefore, Zulhas said the government plans to reopen the import option of 500,000 tons of rice this year. Imported rice is predicted to be one thing that can influence prices in the market. This is one reason besides fulfilling the government's rice reserve stock (CBP).

He said the option came after a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), including seeing the stock of CBP controlled by Bulog running low.

"So yesterday, led by the President, we have decided, whenever necessary we can enter again as many as 500,000 (tons)," he said.

Zulhas emphasized that the import tap will not be opened in the near future, considering that it is currently entering the main harvest in various regions in Indonesia.

Even though it's hard, because actually I don't agree with the imports, but there is no choice. Yesterday it was decided to return 500,000 (tons). But (implementation of imports) when (the time) is needed, because now it's a big harvest," he said.