There Are Still Traders In Solo Selling Cooking Oil Above IDR 14,000 / Liter Because Distributor Prices Haven't Dropped, Sanctioned?

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION VIA ANTARA

SOLO - A number of traders in the city of Solo still sell cooking oil above the government regulation, which is Rp. 14,000/liter.

One of the Sri traders at Pasar Legi Solo said that currently they are still selling cooking oil at a price of Rp. 38,000/2 liters, which means that the price of cooking oil is still Rp. 19,000/liter.

"Yes, indeed from distributors the price is still high, there has been no decrease," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, January 21.

With the price of cooking oil that is still high, he admits that there has been a decline in purchases by the public. Although he did not mention the sales volume, he said, there is currently a 30 percent decline in purchases from the public.

"The problem is that in mini markets the price has gone down, it's already Rp. 14,000/liter. So people choose to buy there, indeed at our place there are not many people who buy it," he said.

Another trader, Radinem, said that since there was a directive from the government regarding the decline in cooking oil prices, so far he has not sold the commodity.

"Actually I have a lot of cooking oil in stock, but the factory was asked not to sell it. I want to exchange it for a new one, maybe it has something to do with this price drop," he said.

He said that currently the price of cooking oil is still high. According to him, before the increase, the price of cooking oil was at Rp. 11,000-12,000/liter.

"Now the price is in the range of Rp. 17,000-18,000/liter. It has been almost a year since the price has continued to rise," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Surakarta City Trade Office, Heru Sunardi, said that in accordance with the direction of the Minister of Trade, the traders were given time slack of up to seven days.

"They are given the opportunity for seven days, only if those who enter the retail association are obliged to sell Rp. 14,000/liter, like in mini markets. In traditional markets it is still high, still in the range of Rp. 18,000-19,000/liter," he said.

However, he said, if up to seven days there are still traders selling cooking oil above the predetermined price, then there will be action from the food task force.

"Later there will be witnesses, whether there is hoarding," he said.

Regarding this, the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, said that in the near future he would conduct field checks.

"Today I checked in the field, it should have been Rp. 14,000/liter. (Later it will be carried out) market operations (if prices are still high)," he said.