The Increase In Chili Prices Trigger Inflation In January Of 0.39 Percent

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JAKARTA - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the inflation rate in January 2020 was 0.39 percent influenced by the increase in food commodity prices, especially red chilies and bird's eye chilies.

"Red chilies contributed 0.13 percent inflation and cayenne pepper contributed 0.05 percent inflation," said Head of BPS Suhariyanto in Jakarta, Monday, February 3.

Suhariyanto said other commodities that experienced a price hike in January were fresh fish and cooking oil, each of which contributed 0.04 percent of the inflation.

In addition, rice contributed 0.03 percent to the inflation, clove cigarettes, filter cigarettes and white cigarettes each contributed 0.02 percent and vegetables 0.01 percent.

The increase in food prices caused the food, beverage and tobacco group to experience inflation of 1.62 percent in January 2020.

Other expenditure groups that also contributed to inflation were personal care and other services 0.46 percent, health 0.42 percent and 0.19 percent restaurant food and beverage provision.

However, there were expenditure groups that contributed to deflation, which pushed down the inflation rate in January, namely transportation 0.89 percent and education 0.14 percent.

The cause of deflation in the transportation category includes a reduction in air transport rates due to the end of school holidays with a contribution of 0.07 percent.

"The reduction in air transport rates in January occurred in 58 cities, with the highest decreases in Padang Sidempuan, Palangkaraya and Kupang," said Suhariyanto.

Other commodities that also experienced deflation during this period were fuel oil, broiler chicken meat and eggs.

Out of 90 CPI cities, BPS also noted that 79 cities experienced inflation and 11 cities contributed to deflation in January 2020.

The highest inflation occurred in Meulaboh 1.44 percent and the lowest inflation was in Gorontalo 0.03 percent. Meanwhile, the highest deflation was in Baubau at 1.39 percent and the lowest was in Kudus at 0.01 percent.

With January 2020 inflation recorded at 0.39 percent, calendar year inflation was also recorded at 0.39 percent and year-on-year inflation at 2.68 percent.