Good News! Rice Prices Are Starting To Drop In A Number Of Jakarta Markets

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The price of rice in several areas of Jakarta has decreased by a thousand to two thousand rupiahs ahead of the month of Ramadan. The availability of rice for the needs of the community will also not be disturbed by facing the fasting month ahead.

This was confirmed during an inspection of Pasar Jaya, namely the Muara Sembako Shop located in Pasar Minggu, Sunday, March 3. There is rice sold at a retail price of Rp. 13,000.

This price decreased by IDR 2,000 compared to the national average retail price which had risen to IDR 15,157 as stated by the Central Statistics Agency during a press conference earlier this month.

Then the price reduction also occurred at Pasar Jaya Menteng Pulo, South Jakarta. At the Ipung Rice Shop, there mentioned the lowest category of local rice to be IDR 15,000.

"It's down about a thousand rupiahs, from yesterday's price it had increased by Rp. 16,000 per kilo," said Ipung as the owner of the rice shop, Saturday, March 2.

Dia melanjutkan untuk beras lokal kualitas disebutkan oleh pria berusia 52 tahun tersebut masih stabil pada angka Rp950 ribu per 50 kilogram.

"Local rice with the highest premium quality is still at Rp. 19,000 per kilo, yes, it hasn't gone down yet," he said.

Currently, the government continues to suppress rice hega which had soared high last month. One of the efforts made was the distribution of social assistance (bansos) in the form of 10 kilograms of rice, oil, and so on.

Previously, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) exposed the modus operandi or strategy of traders in the market which made prices soar expensive recently.

Deputy for Statistics for Production of BPS M. Habibullah said that rice prices would not increase drastically if the stock was sufficient. He said the rice supply could be met from those stored in farmers, Perum Bulog warehouses, private property, to government rice reserves (CBP).

"However, in the mechanism for price formation in the market by traders, there are usually psychological effects, such as doubts about the smooth supply due to declining rice production," Habibullah said at a press conference at the BPS Office, Central Jakarta, Friday, March 1.