The Ministry Of Agriculture Highlights Sugar Prices In Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Which Have Reached Rp. 15,000 Per Kilogram

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Director of Horticultural Seeds of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) Inti Pertiwi Nashwari highlighted the increase in the price of sugar in Sampit, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, which according to him is quite high.

"Other basic necessities are quite stable. I am highlighting granulated sugar because here the price is already Rp. 15,000 per kilogram, even though granulated sugar should be in the range of Rp. 13,500 to Rp. 14,000/kilogram, but almost all traders sold Rp. 15,000. /kg," said Inti Pertiwi in Sampit, quoted from Antara, Saturday, April 23.

He monitored basic needs at the Mentaya Shopping Center, Mentaya Fish Market, and Sampit Subuh Market, accompanied by the Head of the Central Kalimantan Province Food Security Service, Sunarti.

According to Inti, the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, assigned him to oversee and monitor the availability of basic food ingredients, especially 10 commodities for the community's basic needs.

It must check availability in the consumer market. The monitoring results show that the commodities of shallots, garlic, curly red chilies, green chilies, cayenne peppers and others are quite abundant. The price is also no significant increase.

The price of fresh beef is still Rp. 130,000 and the price of chicken is Rp. 28,000/kg. The stock is abundant.

Traders brought some goods from the island of Java. Almost all traders said that as long as the ship arrived there were no problems, so the availability of basic necessities would also not experience problems.

"God willing, until Eid can be said to be safe in this market. We saw the price range for cooking oil in bulk, Rp. 14,000/liter, while packaging is around Rp. 24,000/liter," he said.

Regarding the increase in the price of sugar in Sampit, which is considered quite high, his party will check with Bulog. If needed, Bulog can supply more granulated sugar, it can also carry out market operations.

He did not deny that the price of sugar, as in Jakarta, has a tendency to rise. Previously the price was Rp. 13,000, but now it is starting to increase to Rp. 13,500 and there is a request for an increase to Rp. 14,000/kilogram. Prices start to rise expected due to increased demand for cakes, while supply may decrease slightly.

However, the increase in the price of sugar in Sampit is currently considered quite high. This will be a concern for efforts to be made so as not to burden the community.

"Earlier, the Minister's message was that prices rose slightly during Lebaran, there is no need to worry too much. What is important is that the goods are available. Now there is no problem with availability, only prices have increased slightly. If the trend continues to rise, the government will intervene, such as market operations that will be carried out by Bulog and other SOEs," said Inti Pertiwi.