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Food price hikes after eruptions
The price of shallots and red chili in Batam have been affected by Mount Keludâs eruption in Kediri, East Java
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The price of shallots and red chili in Batam have been affected by Mount Kelud's eruption in Kediri, East Java.
Head of the Batam Trade, Industry, Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Amsakar Achmad, on Monday confirmed the supply of shallots and red chili from Brebes, Central Java, had been disrupted and subsequently had caused prices to rise.
'A number of flights connecting Java with other regions ' including Batam ' were grounded, which disrupted supply,' he said.
Surveys conducted by the agency in several markets recorded that red chili cost between Rp 60,000 (US$5.10) and Rp 80,000 per kilogram (kg). The usual price is Rp 50,000. Shallots supplied from Java were being sold for around Rp 100,000 per kg from the usual Rp 70,000 per kg.
Amsakar said that Batam a lot of its edible commodities, such as rice and vegetables from Java and Sumatra.
Areas in North Sumatra, such as Brastagi, were still recovering after Mount Sinabung, Karo, erupted, only adding to the pressure on prices in Batam.
Bank Indonesia (BI) Riau Islands chapter head Gusti Raizal Eka Putra said the limited supply of commodities had caused average monthly inflation of 0.16 percent since October last year and 7.62 percent year-on-year, which were both quite high. (idb/ebf)
