Trade Minister Zulhas Says Rising Food Prices Will Not Affect Inflation Level

Minister of Trade Zulhas (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan believes that the increase in the prices of basic commodities and foodstuffs will not have a major effect on the inflation rate. Because, according to him, currently the price increase is still within normal limits.

"We'll see what the data will be done by BPS. But this is a little increase. Prices tend to be all stable," he said while reviewing the prices and supply of bapok at Rawamangun Market, East Jakarta, Jakarta on Monday, April 3.

Furthermore, Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said the increase occurred at the price of chicken and eggs. The chicken meat was observed at IDR 40,000 per kg, from the previous IDR 32,000 per kg.

"Ayam, the increase is a little, earlier what had been cut clean was Rp. 40,000 (per kg), if it was intact it was Rp. 36,000 pergi," he said.

In addition to chicken meat, said Zulhas, there was an increase in the price of chicken eggs which were sold for Rp. 29,000 to Rp. 30,000 per kg. In fact, usually chicken eggs are sold for Rp. 27,000 to Rp. 28,000 per kg.

Furthermore, Zulhas said that the increase in bapok prices was still at a reasonable level due to the increase in demand.

"Because of this egg fasting month, chickens usually lay eggs a day 1, now there is a lot of demand, a little increase, Rp. 29,000 is usually Rp. 27,000-Rp. 28,000, yes okay, 5 percent (the increase) is still okay," he explained.