Staple Food Prices Stable Until Eid ul Fitr

The operation is conducted if the rice price reaches more than 20 percent in two consecutive weeks

Jakarta Provincial Government reveals that staple food stock in Jakarta is safe until Eid ul Fitr, likewise its price. Therefore, the market operation does not need to be carried out.

Joko Kundaryo, Head of Jakarta Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Trade (KUMKMP), market operation does not to be conducted, considering staple food price is quite stable. "The operation is conducted if the rice price reaches more than 20 percent in two consecutive weeks," he expressed, at City Hall, Monday (7/21).

Demand of Staple Food Rocketing Sharply

Nevertheless, his side remains hold cheap market in five municipalities and one regency in Jakarta to lighten low-income people's burden. "We will hold cheap market. It could be a balancing for low-income people," he uttered.

He continued staple food supply keeps coming in. Moreover, harvest season happens simultaneously in supplier area. Additionally, the distributor always raises the stock up to 30-40 percent during Ramadan.

Especially for food needs distribution, he added, he often cooperates with Trade Ministry. Based on monitoring results, food stock and its price are stable. "So, the market mechanism is not intervened to stabilize. The reason is, for Jakartans, goods are always available," he said.

Such stabilization is also aided by a change in the pattern of public spending. Thus the food stock in the capital stock can be maintained. "Price tends to be stable, it doesn't merely successful of cheap market but from change in pattern of public spending. That's why price becomes stable," he finished.