Inspection To Kramat Jati Market, Trade Minister Zulhas Finds Premium Rice Price Reaches IDR 19,000 Per Kg

Trade Minister Zulhas In Kramat Jati (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan found that the price of local premium rice was still expensive at Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta. In fact, it reaches the range of Rp. 16,000 to Rp. 19,000 per kilogram (kg).

Based on observations at the location, the man who is familiarly called Zulhas visited one of the rice shops. He also interacted with the seller to find out how much rice is currently priced in the market.

Rice traders say that the price of premium rice measuring 5kg is priced at IDR 95,000 per kilogram. This means that the price reaches IDR 19,000 per kilogram.

"I sell this Rp90,000, now Rp95,000 (5 kg packaged rice). This is Rp16,000 per kg (pointing for the rice on display)," said the rice trader to Zulhas, at Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta, Friday, March 15.

Zulhas also asked whether the premium rice sold by the traders came from within the country.

"What is the brand? It's local, right?" asked Zulhas.

"Idola sir, yes local," replied the merchant.

In addition to premium rice, Zulhas also checked the price of Bulog rice. Zulhas said the price sold at the rice shop was in accordance with the Highest Retail Price (HET) of medium rice, which was Rp. 10,900 per kg. The merchant sells imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam.

"Bulog rice is Rp. 10,900, yes, Rp. 11,000," he explained.