Extreme weather, marked by storms and floods across the country, is being attributed to the spiraling prices of basic foodstuffs in the past week. In addition, crops are rotting and many fishermen cannot take to the sea due to high waves.

The price of staple foods in Bantul, Yogyakarta has soared following crop failure caused by the extreme weather in the regency.

Subariyoto, the head of the Bandul administration’s domestic trade, industry and cooperatives division, said on Thursday that the bad weather ruined many crop fields in the regency.

“The bad weather also disrupted the distribution of produce. As the transport of supplies was halted, resulting in price increases,” he said.

This week, a kilogram (kg) of chilies cost Rp 30,000 (US$3.09) in several traditional markets, up from last week’s price of Rp 12,000, while garlic soared to Rp 60,000 per kg from the usual Rp 20,000.

Meat prices also increased, with beef rising to Rp 95,000 per kg from the normal price of Rp 85,000 and chicken selling for Rp 26,000 from last week’s price of Rp 18,000 per kg.

“Around 2,000 square meters of my ready-to-harvest bitter gourd are damaged and I will suffer millions of rupiah in damages,” said Waji, a vegetable farmer at Srigading village in Bantul.

To prevent further price hikes, the Bantul administration planned to transport produce from other regions, such as Brebes for shallots and Temanggung and Boyolali for vegetables, Subariyoto said.

“Supplies are low or they are already in poor condition due to the floods,” said Rahmi, a vegetable vendor at the Bantul traditional market.

The torrential rain that occurred in Bali over the past couple of weeks has also caused the price of staple foods to increase.

A number of people shopping at Sanglah traditional market in Denpasar said they were surprised by the prices of some commodities, including chicken, vegetables and spices.

The price of chicken has increased from Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000 per kg. Vegetable prices have also gone up, or only a limited amount was available.

The price of cayenne has increased from Rp 18,000 to Rp 26,000 per kg; garlic from Rp 15,000 to Rp 22,000; onion from Rp 18,000 to Rp 25,000; red pepper from Rp 10,000 to Rp 15,000; and tomato from Rp 4,000 to Rp 8,000.

“The prices keep rising. I have no choice other than to sell the items at a higher price,” said Nurul, a vendor at the market.

Customers also complained about the situation.

“The prices have increased so fast and so significantly. We have no choice other than to spend more money,” said Ni Made Armi, who shops at Sanglah market every day.

Head of the Industry and Trade Agency, I Wayan Gatra, said that despite the price increases the items remained at a normal level, adding that the agency regularly monitored conditions by conducting inspections at traditional markets, shopping centers and distributors.

Bali relies on Java for the supply of some of its food commodities. The rough seas have forced the operator of Gilimanuk Port, which connects both islands, to halt crossings. In Cirebon, West Java, fish price has increased as thousands of fishermen have halted fishing due to bad weather over the past month.

The price of pomfret has risen from Rp 25,000 to Rp 35,000 per kg; red snapper has gone up from Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000 per kg; shrimp from Rp 40,000 to Rp 60,000 per kg; skipjack tuna from Rp 18,000 to
Rp 23,000 per kg; and squid from Rp 22,000 to Rp 28,000 per kg.

Consumers have complained about the fish price hike and many have decided to reduce fish consumption because of the price.

Nana Rukmana contributed to the story from Cirebon

Popular

PDI-P will likely be part of opposition: Ganjar

Indonesia one step from Olympics after beating South Korea

Bahlil leads task force to boost sugar, bioethanol production in Papua