BANDUNG. The prices of staple foods continue to be stable following the Islamic festival of Eid Fitr, according to Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel.
"Neither before nor after Eid Fitr was there any volatility in the prices. They rose within the normal limits, in line with the increasing market demand," Minister Gobel said while visiting Gedebage Market, Bandung, Tuesday (21/7).
The Trade Ministry has deployed teams to monitor the prices of foodstuff in regions that are prone to price hikes.
So far, they have not found any instability in prices, with the current hikes in the rates of commodities such as beef, chicken, eggs, and chili considered normal.
In addition, to help stabilize the prices, the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) has carried out a number of market operations to supply rice, sugar, cooking oil, and chili.
"Yes, Bulog has tao do that. It has to be present in the markets directly to shorten the long distribution chain," Gobel explained.
Moreover, the trade minister received firsthand information about a fire that razed Gedebage Market recently.
He also visited Caringin Market in Bandung city to check the prices of food there.
