Prices Of Basic Goods In Jember Begin To Rise, But Regent Hendy Says, "It's Still A Reasonable Limit"

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Regent of Jember, Hendy Siswanto, said that the increase in the prices of a number of basic commodities in several traditional markets ahead of Idul Fitri was considered to be within reasonable limits.

"Conditions in the field indeed have an increase in the prices of some basic commodities, but they are still within reasonable limits," said Hendy after conducting a sudden inspection with the local Forkopimda at Tanjung Jember Market, Monday, April 25, quoted from Antara.

As in previous years leading up to Lebaran, he continued, it was certain that there would be an increase in prices due to a surge in public demand, so Forkopimda jointly checked prices and the availability of basic commodities.

According to him, the sudden inspection was carried out with Deputy Regent M. Balya Firjaun Barlaman and Forkopimda by visiting Tanjung Market to see firsthand the development of prices and availability of basic commodities in traditional markets ahead of Eid.

"Compared to the same period ahead of Lebaran before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was still higher before the pandemic, such as cayenne pepper at around Rp. 60,000 per kilogram, but currently the price is around Rp. 28,000 per kilogram," he said.

To maintain the stability of staple food prices, he continued, the Jember Regency Government through the Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) held the Ramadhan Cheap Market in each sub-district in stages and the operation of the bulk cooking oil market.

"In addition, we also have the Wes Wayahe Jember Sharing program which also provides bulk cooking oil for the community at a price according to the highest retail price (HET) of Rp. 14,000 per liter," he said.

Various activities to maintain the stabilization of staple food prices in traditional markets are expected to contribute to controlling inflation in Jember Regency.

Prices are monitored at the Tanjung Jember Market such as rice ranging from IDR 10,000 to IDR 12,500 per kilogram, sugar IDR 13,000 per kilogram, packaged cooking oil IDR 24,000 per liter, beef IDR 110,000 per kilogram, chicken meat IDR 37,000 per kilogram, chicken eggs Rp. 24,000 per kilogram.

For large chilies, it decreased from Rp. 40,000 to Rp. 36,000 per kilogram, cayenne pepper increased from Rp. 19,000 to Rp. 20,000 per kilogram, red onions Rp. 28,000 per kilogram, and garlic Rp. 22,000 per kilogram.