Heru Guarantees Stable Food Prices Ahead of Christmas and New Year

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono says he ensures that the prices of staple foods ahead of Christmas and New Year are still under control.

Chili and onion prices are stable, supply is safe

According to him, there was a price hike in eggs and red chilies due to high public demand. Nevertheless, it could still be controlled from last year's (YoY).

"Chili and onion prices are stable, supply is safe. The price of eggs has gone up, but residents who meet the criteria for KJP cardholders get subsidies. Insya Allah (God Willing), it will be stable until March 2023," he expressed, while inspecting the Kramat Jati Central Market, East Jakarta, Tuesday (12/6).

Jakarta Gears Up for Christmas and New Year

The same statement also came from Jakarta's Economy and Finance Assistant, Sri Haryati. She explained that the Jakarta administration had been monitoring high public demand ahead of Christmas and New Year.

"There was a slight increase, but if we compare it to last year's (YoY) increase now it is much more stable," she explained.

She continued that the city's efforts to maintain price stability and food stocks included a lot of cooperation with various supplying regions. One of them was for chili commodities in collaboration with several regions in Central Java, West Java, and East Java.

Another effort is to utilize the Controlled Atmosphere Storage (CAS) owned by Perumda Pasar Jaya to store chilies longer.

"Pasar Jaya has now entered processing. We want the chilies that the farmers have in stock, then we absorb and dry them. Hopefully, it can provide benefits not only for Jakarta stock but regional farmers," she hoped.

Perumda Pasar Jaya President Director, Tri Prasetyo uttered that the price of red chilies had increased by around three percent from the normal price of Rp 32,000 to Rp 38,000. His party also conveyed that there were differences in chili prices at the wholesale and retail levels.

“Indeed, the price outside the main market is different. The price is still at Rp 38,000. We'll update the price of red cayenne pepper. The cut-off price was yesterday afternoon," he closed.