Traders, food sellers and buyers in a number of regions have complained about the increase in the price of several basic commodities. They hope the price of basic commodities can be immediately controlled.
By
Kompas Team
·6 menit baca
KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA
Traders at Pasar Raya Padang, Padang, West Sumatra, serving buyers, Friday (8/7/2022). The price of chili in Padang reaches Rp. 120,000 per kg. The increase in chili prices has occurred since last month due to reduced production due to crop failure due to the long dry season and high prices of fertilizers.
SURABAYA, KOMPAS — The price of a number of basic commodities and foodstuffs, such as shallots and chilies, continue to skyrocket. The increase has affected the buying power of the people.
In Surabaya, East Java, the price of shallots rose to Rp 70,000 (US$4.80) per kilogram on Sunday. According to traders in traditional markets, the price of shallot has never reached such a high level before.
"Indeed, the price of shallots increases almost every year, but the highest [price] was Rp 30,000 per kg," Kasmo, 55, a farmer in the Rungkut area, said on Sunday.
Based on observations at Surya Market, the price of almost all basic commodities in the past week showed a significant increase. After Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) celebrations, the price of almost all food commodities continued to soar.
"The prices of chili and shallots really made me want to cry," said Evie, 40, a culinary entrepreneur who produces various kinds of chili sauce.
The high price of basic commodities has forced food traders in Cirebon and Indramayu regency, West Java, to reduce their purchases. They changed some of their ingredients for cooking and raised their prices in order to survive.
Sami, 44, a food stall vendor on Jl. Perjuangan, Cirebon, for example, chose to use dry chilies because the price of red chilies and cayenne peppers had soared.
“Because chilies are expensive, I use dry chilies. Otherwise, I would lose [money]. Other stalls also use dry chilies," he said.
Traders and residents in the city of Padang, West Sumatra, have also complained about the high price of red chilies and shallots for the past month. The government has been asked to control the price of these commodities so that they will return to normal.
WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO
Anto (52) a basic food seller at the Wage Market, Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Saturday (9/7/2022).
Meanwhile, at Pasar Raya Padang on Friday (8/7), the price of red chili reached Rp 104,000-Rp 120,000 per kg and the price of shallots ranged between Rp 50,000 and Rp 55,000 per kg.
Nasril, 50, a trader on Jl. Pasar Baru, Pasar Raya Padang, said the price of red chili fluctuated sharply. On Friday morning, he sold chilies at Rp 90,000 per kg. Two hours later, he sold them at Rp 100,000 per kg. The price then rose to Rp 110,000 per kg and Rp 120,000 per kg on Friday afternoon.
He said the sharp increases had had a bad impact on traders. Due to the decline in the people's purchasing power, sales of chilies and shallots have decreased by about 30 percent compared to the normal situation.
"We really need government assistance in controlling [prices] so that they will not get too high. Household costs increase, while our salary remains the same," he said.
Zahara, 55, a resident of the Padang subdistrict, said the increase in the price of basic commodities had made her sick. She had to rack his brain to figure out how to better manage his household spending. At her house, there is no red chili.
"My husband doesn't want to eat without chili," she said.
To cope with the high prices, Zahara reduced her purchase of chilies and shallots. Previously, she would buy 1 kg of red chili. Now, she only buys half or a quarter kg.
“It is now difficult to manage household finances. Not to mention we also have to think about vegetables, rice, cooking oil and gas," she said.
It is now difficult to manage household finances.
Yanti, 47, a food trader in East Padang subdistrict, said her profit margin had decreased as a result of the sharp rise in the price of red chili, shallots and other staples in the past month.
"We are refraining from raising our food prices, Otherwise, our buyers will leave. So, we have to maintain our prices and food portions. Our profit margin is getting smaller," she said.
She hopes the government can lower the price of these basic commodities. If conditions drag on, business will get tougher.
Market Operation
The head of the West Sumatra Food Office, Efendi, said his office had been conducting market operations every Monday-Saturday to control the price of basic commodities, including red chili and shallots, especially at farm shops owned by the office or by car in the province’s 19 regencies/cities.
“We sell basic necessities at lower prices, including red chili and shallots. For example, yesterday, red chili was sold at Rp 80,000 per kg," said Efendi.
KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO
Residents shopping activities at Santa Market, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Monday (20/6/2022).
In Kalimantan and Sulawesi, the price of basic commodities has also soared. Based on Kompas monitoring at the Pasar Besar in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, the price of a number of commodities, including shallots, beef, broilers and red chili, had also increased sharply.
Leonard S Ampung, the governor’s assistant for economic affairs and development, acknowledged that there had been a sharp increase in prices in all cities in the province. He said the provincial administration had opened a “cheap market” in a number of cities in order to provide cheaper basic commodities.
In Manado, North Sulawesi, the price of chili and shallots rose to Rp 100,000 per kg during Idul Adha on Sunday. However, traders in Manado predicted prices would fall again after the religious celebration.
Production Drop
According to the Agriculture Ministry’s Horticulture Directorate General website on Friday (8/7), the increase in chili prices, that has occurred since the beginning of June 2022, was due to a decrease in production as a result of extreme weather. According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), rainfall in April-May was higher than during April-May 2021. This also caused an increase in plant diseases.
Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said he had assigned his staff to monitor the condition of chili plants in the field. In addition, efforts have also been made to reduce price volatility so that the price increase would not continue.
Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan previously said that the price increase was also due to Idul Adha celebration.
The head of the department of economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Fajar B Hirawan, said problems in production and distribution always overshadowed efforts in fulfilling national food needs.
“The National Food Agency must immediately complete the consolidation program with the relevant ministries. This is necessary so that they can immediately carry out their functions,” said Fajar. (ETA/JOL/OKA/IDO/IKI/DKA/DIT)
This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.
