Food prices to return to normal a week after Eid: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan stated here on Monday that food commodity prices in the country are expected to return to normal one week after Eid al-Fitr.

Hasan explained that the current spike in food prices is normal during the Eid period, given that several distributors and sellers take holidays or return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid.

"A week after Eid, prices will normalize. Do not be surprised if prices are high today. It is hard to find vegetables today, so they will definitely be expensive. The distributors and factories are also on holiday," he remarked.

The minister stated that despite a slight increase in food commodity prices, the stock of all commodities required by the public during Eid is secure and well-regulated.

"The stock is safe, available, and prices are quite controlled," he remarked.

Earlier, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) reported that the stock of food commodities required by the public ahead of Eid al-Fitr was secure despite an average increase in prices.

KPPU member Eugenia Mardanugraha stated earlier on Saturday (March 29) that the supplies of food commodities were verified through surveys conducted in modern and traditional markets across seven KPPU Regional Offices.

These regions include Medan, Lampung, Bandung, Surabaya, Samarinda, Makassar, and Yogyakarta.

Based on data gathered by their team, chili prices have increased significantly in almost all regions of Indonesia.

Chili prices at traditional markets in Bandung reached Rp115 thousand per kilogram, a 53 percent increase.

Meanwhile, chili sold at modern markets also experienced price hikes, with the highest price recorded in Samarinda at Rp167,450 per kilogram, followed by Bandung and Yogyakarta.