Food Prices Stay Above Reference Price

As the price of several staple foods remain above their respective reference prices, the government has set a target to control prices ahead of the Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri holiday this year.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Sacks of rice are unloaded at Kranji Baru Market, West Bekasi, West Java, on Monday (23/4/2018). The government has ensured there will be sufficient staple foods, such as rice, eggs, meat, sugar and cooking oil, for Ramadan and Idul Fitri.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – As the price of several staple foods remain above their respective reference prices, the government has set a target to control prices ahead of the Ramadhan fasting month and the Idul Fitri religious holiday this year.

Nevertheless, obstacles in production and supply persist in curbing price hikes. Other than medium-quality rice, average nationwide prices of broiler chicken and egg, along with beef and shallots, remain above the reference price, according to data from the Information Center for Strategic Food Prices (PIHPS) released on Monday (23/4/2018). Reference prices are set in Trade Ministerial Regulation No. 27/2017 on reference prices for purchasing from farmers and selling to consumers.