Chicken and Beef Prices Creep Up, Food Task Force Scours Cimahi Market

Illustration-(DOK ANTARA)

CIMAHI - The Task Force for Violations of Food Prices, Security, and Quality of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the West Java Police traced the increase in the prices of a number of food commodities ahead of Ramadan at the Atas Cimahi Market, Friday, February 13.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation of West Java Police, Kombes Wirdhanto, said that the examination was carried out on various commodities, ranging from rice, eggs, chicken meat, beef, red onions, to garlic.

"Some commodities are still at the highest retail price (HET), but there are also those who have increased. After this, in addition to the seller, we will also trace the distributor and the cutting place if necessary," he said as quoted by Antara.

He explained that a number of food prices were observed to have increased, including beef which increased from Rp. 130,000 to Rp. 140,000 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, broiler chicken meat, which was previously in the range of Rp34,000-Rp36,000 per kilogram, now reaches Rp40,000 to Rp42,000 per kilogram.

Wirdhanto added that his party had given a direct reprimand letter to traders to adjust the price of pure chicken meat to the government's reference price of Rp. 40,000 per kilogram.

Based on field monitoring, the price of broiler eggs has also increased from Rp. 29,000 to Rp. 31,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the price of medium rice is still stable at around Rp. 13,000 per kilogram, and Minyakita is sold at around Rp. 16,000 per liter.

On this occasion, the Food Task Force also gave a warning that will be followed up by the Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Cimahi City Industry Office so that the price of eggs will again refer to the provision of Rp30,000 per kilogram.

The West Java Regional Police Food Task Force confirmed that it would continue to carry out routine checks in other markets by referring to price data from the National Food Agency and Disperindag, especially for 14 commodities that have government HET and reference prices.

"Regarding cooking oil, there are still many that are sold above the price. After this, we will not only reprimand the seller, but will also trace the distributor if necessary," said Wirdhanto.

He reminded that the government's cooking oil brand, Minyakita, must be sold at the price of Rp. 15,700 per liter and must not exceed the provisions. His party also ensures that distribution from Bulog runs so that traders get supplies at the set price.

The Food Task Force appeals to the public not to worry because supervision will continue to be carried out with the local government to maintain the stability of prices and availability of basic commodities in West Java.