Weather is a factor in increasing food prices in the city of Bandung

Some basic food prices in Bandung are experiencing an increase, such as eggs, chicken meat, granulated sugar, bulk oil, cape red chilies, cayenne pepper, and shallots.

This was acknowledged by the Head of the Bandung City Department of Trade and Industry (Disdagin), Elly Wasliah when met by Public Relations of Bandung City, Thursday, June 9, 2022.

"Once a week on Thursday, we go to seven traditional markets and seven modern retail stores to monitor food commodities there," said Elly.

Some of the commodities that have experienced an increase include eggs, which are now in the range of Rp. 29,000-Rp. 30,000 per kilogram, with a reference price of Rp. 24,000. Then, chicken meat, which now costs Rp. 38,000 per kilogram, which normally costs Rp. 35,000.

Then, granulated sugar rose to Rp. 14,000-Rp. 14,500 per kilogram, where the reference price was Rp. 13,500.

"And what is still perched is bulk oil. It should be Rp. 15,500 per kilogram, but the highest price we found was Rp. 18,000. However, now in the city of Bandung, there are already selling according to the HET," he said.

Meanwhile, the price of cape red chilies per kilogram reaches Rp. 80,000. In fact, cayenne pepper touched the price of Rp. 100,000. Lastly, shallots are priced at Rp. 50,000-Rp. 60,000 per kilogram, even though the reference price is Rp. 32,000.

Elly said the rising prices were due to the weather. Should have entered the dry season in June, but the current condition is still the rainy season. Not to mention the attack of pests that make the quality decline.

Even with chicken and eggs. He said, in the rainy season, chickens usually experience a decrease in egg production, causing prices to rise.

"There is also the effect of relaxation such as starting many marriages, although this factor is not a significant one," he said.

To anticipate prices from increasing, Elly said, Disdagin Bandung City continues to explore which chains are the problem.

"We are looking for where it comes from, for example, we usually get the chicken from East Priangan. We ask from the farmers there, is there an increase or not? which chain is 'playing'," he explained.

However, so far Disdagin has not found any cases of the basic food mafia.

"There is no such case because the prices have not increased too significantly, they are still within normal limits," he added.

When asked about the Market Operation option, Elly said that further review still needed to be done.

"Market operations are held when the goods on the market are scarce, making it difficult for residents to obtain. Then, prices have increased significantly," he explained. (din)*

Head of Diskominfo Bandung

Yayan A. Brilyana