Jakarta Food Prices Rise: Free Nutrition Program Resumption Suspected

Prices for several staple food commodities, including broiler chicken and eggs, have been observed to be increasing in various markets across Jakarta this week. According to the National Food Market and Staple Needs Monitoring System (SP2KP), the national average price for broiler chicken reached Rp37,302 per kilogram on Friday (July 24), approaching the government's reference price of Rp40,000 per kg. At Tebet Timur Market in South Jakarta, CNNIndonesia.com observed that broiler chicken weighing approximately one kilogram was sold for Rp40,000 per bird, up from Rp35,000 previously. Broiler chicken weighing around 1.7 kg was priced at Rp50,000 per bird, up from Rp45,000. The market atmosphere was notably subdued, with fewer people browsing or transacting with vendors. Oman, a broiler chicken seller at Tebet Timur Market, stated that the price increase began last week, coinciding with the recommencement of the 'Makan Bergizi Gratis' (MBG) free nutrition program. "Chicken is now Rp40,000 per bird, weighing about a kilo. Yes, it's gone up since last week, probably because MBG has started again for the schools," Oman told CNNIndonesia.com on Friday (July 24). In addition to broiler chicken, the price of broiler eggs in the market has also surged to Rp29,000 per kg. The SP2KP website indicates that the national average price for broiler eggs has risen to Rp27,294 per kg, with the government's reference price set at Rp30,000 per kg. Hamid, a vendor of various foodstuffs, confirmed that broiler egg prices have increased to Rp29,000 per kg from Rp24,000 previously. "Oh yes, (egg prices) have gone up. MBG has been around since last week, so maybe there's a scramble from the distributors," he said. Furthermore, several vegetables, such as green beans, long beans, and cucumbers, have also seen price hikes due to the renewed distribution of MBG. Mentari (not her real name), a vendor of various vegetables and spices, expressed feeling the pinch from the rising prices. She revealed that vegetable prices have nearly doubled compared to spices like shallots, garlic, and chilies. Currently, Mentari sells green beans for Rp30,000 per kg, up from Rp15,000; long beans for Rp28,000 per kg, up from Rp12,000; and cucumbers for Rp20,000 per kg, up from Rp10,000. "My profit is getting smaller. Yes, the vegetables are the ones that have gone up, mas. Onions and chilies are stable, unlike during Eid," she recounted. Prices for several food commodities have also increased at Bendungan Hilir Market in Central Jakarta. Tutiyani, a broiler chicken seller at this market, is currently selling chicken weighing around 1.8 kg for Rp50,000 per bird, whereas previously it was sold for Rp45,000 per bird. "Yes, mas, it's already increased from the source (supplier/farmer). Now I sell it for Rp50,000 (per bird); yesterday it was Rp45,000 (per kg)," Tutiyani explained. Dendi, a vendor of various foodstuffs, stated that he is currently selling broiler eggs at Rp28,000 per kg, up from Rp23,000 per kg. "It's been since last week, mas. Egg prices have gone up again to Rp28,000 (per kg). Before that, it was Rp23,000 (per kg)," said Dendi. "Maybe we just have to get used to it now, mas, that prices go up and down not just before Eid, but also because of MBG, hahaha," he added with a laugh. The prices of several vegetables have also risen at this market, including cucumbers. Kusminah, a seller of various vegetables, explained that cucumber prices have surged from Rp10,000 per kg to Rp20,000 per kg. "For spices, onions, chilies, the prices are the same. It's mainly cucumbers that have gone up, mas. Now I have to sell them for Rp20,000 (per kg)?" she said. Source: CNN Indonesia