Residents flock to discount market for cheap goods

To help people cope with the rocketing price of staple foods and basic goods, the provincial administration, in cooperation with Bali Dwipa Village Cooperative Units (Puskud Bali Dwipa), organized a discount market in Banjar Kayangan, Peninjoan village, on Thursday morning.

Ida Bagus Ardhana, head of the trade division at the province’s industry and trade office, told Bali Daily that the program was part of the government’s efforts to ease the burden of its residents.

“Two big religious celebrations — Idul Fitri for Muslims and Galungan for Hindus, are coming soon. The prices for food and staple goods have been soaring over the last few weeks,” Ardhana said.

Muslims will celebrate Idul Fitri to mark the end of the Ramadhan fasting month on Aug. 19 and 20. Meanwhile, Balinese Hindus will observe Galungan on Aug. 29, followed by Kuningan 10 days later on Sept. 8.

Demand for basic foods, such as rice, sugar, flour, meat, fruit and vegetables, will be very high leading to traders raising prices.

The annual discount market, being held for the third time here, is an eagerly awaited event for low- and middle-income families in Denpasar.

Consumers were able to buy a plethora of staples, such as rice, sugar, cooking oil and instant noodles, at lower prices than at traditional markets and supermarkets.

The price of 1 kilogram of sugar was only Rp 10,000 (US$ 1.06), while at supermarkets it is sold for between Rp 12,000 and Rp 14,000 per kg.

A 5-kilogram bag of rice was being sold for Rp 39,000. The normal price for similar rice starts from Rp 41,000.

Wayan Mukra from Puskud Bali Dwipa said that the cooperative units had prepared two tons of sugar, two tons of rice and 200 boxes of instant noodles and other goods to sell at the discount market.

Local residents were happy. Made Riki, a mother of three, said the discount market had helped people like her. “The price of everything is getting higher every day, we cannot afford to buy expensive items at the markets,” Riki said. She returned home carrying 3kg of cooking oil and 2kg of sugar.