Egg And Chili Prices In West Java Skyrocket, Business Actors Ask The Government To Be Firm

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JAKARTA Over the past week, there has been an increase in prices for two food commodities, namely eggs and chilies in West Java. The results of monitoring by the National Police's Food Task Force, for chicken eggs, there were price fluctuations, such as in the production center of Blitar Regency, the price at the laying hens farmer level was around Rp. 25,500 to Rp. 26 thousand per kilogram.

The increase is felt in all levels of society, including cafe and restaurant entrepreneurs. With the increase in prices, business actors feel burdened with the soaring price of eggs.

As conveyed by the Chairman of the Cafe and Restaurant Association (AKAR) Arief Maulana. According to Arief, the increase in egg prices and a number of commodities for him was like a blow. How not, in the midst of a sluggish market, there was an increase in food.

"Double hit, so on the one hand the market is sluggish, on the other hand the price of food ahead of Eid al-Adha is a mess. During Eid al-Fitr yesterday, there was an increase but not significant. For the price of chickens alone it was more than 40 thousand.," said Arief after the discussion on rising food prices in Bandung, June 20, afternoon.

When asked what strategy the entrepreneurs have made in dealing with food increases, Arief said that so far his party only has two ways.

If there are at least two entrepreneurs, between increasing the selling price or reducing the quantity of the portion sold. It's just that we don't do that immediately, once the price goes up in the market we continue to change the menu book, it immediately changes the price to increase. We can only wait for how long this price increases." explained Arief.

There are several things that are of concern in this increase in food prices. Like the price of meat that has increased, but it has not decreased. However, Arief assessed that the price of food ingredients that often increase is egg chicken.

Like beef, go up but not go down. If it's gone up, that's all. If the chicken fluctuates quite often, yes, almost every day. Yes, especially eggs that almost every day experience an increase," he added.

However, Arief hopes that the government can take concrete steps in stabilizing food prices.

"The government can stabilize prices so as not to be extreme. Yes, we support the government's efforts, such as market operations, if possible, should not be held only ceremonially. Please read the data on how much needs are needed in the market. So, it will have a definite impact", he concluded.