Trade Minister Budi Santoso monitors food prices in Sleman

Indonesian Minister of Trade Budi Santoso conducted a direct inspection of food commodity prices and availability at Pasar Potrojayan in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Monday. The visit, accompanied by Sleman Regent Harda Kiswaya, aimed to ensure price stability and maintain public purchasing power.

Most staple goods remain within or below their designated maximum retail prices (HET). Red onions are priced between Rp32,000 and Rp35,000 per kilogram, below the Rp39,000 ceiling. Large chilies are at Rp50,000 per kilogram (ceiling: Rp55,000), eggs are at Rp26,000 (ceiling: Rp27,000), and chicken meat is at Rp38,000 (ceiling: Rp40,000). SPHP rice supplies were also reported as normal.

However, the Minister noted that bird's eye chili prices have risen to Rp70,000 per kilogram, exceeding the Rp57,000 reference price. Santoso emphasized that the HET system is designed to balance the interests of both producers and consumers, preventing prices from becoming too low for farmers or too high for the public.