29 Days Left To Ramadan, The Government Guarantees The Prices And Stocks Of Basic Needs Are Under Control

Minister of Trade, M. Lutfi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government guarantees the availability of basic necessities (bapok) is available and sufficient at affordable prices ahead of Ramadan, which only has 29 days left. Including Eid Al-Fitr 2021, the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) will calculate, analyze, control, and execute plans to ensure adequate supplies.

The Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi claims that prices can be predicted and remain stable. This is due to various efforts made by the government, one of which is to calculate the supply of basic commodities.

"From the results of our national monitoring, ahead of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr this year, the availability and prices of basic needs are monitored to be safe and stable", he said in a written statement, Tuesday, March 16.

The Ministry of Trade, said Lutfi, has also coordinated intensively with associations of production, sellers, distribution, and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability of a national basic needs.

According to Lutfi, currently, several commodities such as rice are the government's attention in order to anticipate price stability and adequate supply. However, he confirmed that prices for these commodities will be stable.

"Approaching Ramadan and Eid, we can be sure that the price of these commodities will be stable. This is because in March we will enter the rice harvest period", he said.

As for sugar, said Lutfi, it is in the import process. He ensured that raw sugar would enter and increase the stock and sugar that had been milled would enter the market.

"That way, the price of sugar will stabilize again to IDR 12.500 per kilogram according to the highest retail price (HET)", he explained.

Then, for the red chili commodity, Lutfi said the current market price has started to fall. Having previously experienced price increases due to weather that damaged crops in a number of centers such as Tuban, Kediri, and Blitar in East Java; and Wajo, North Sulawesi.

"Because it will enter the harvest period. Thus, increasing stock in the market and making prices stabilize again", he said.