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Stable food prices keep October inflation in check
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Food hall: Vegetable vendors serve customers at Bandarjo Market in Semarang regency, Central Java. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday that inflation stood at the relatively low level of 0.14 percent month-on-month in October, thanks to stable food prices. (Antara Foto/Aditya Pradana Putra)
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table food prices were a major contributor to maintaining October’s inflation rate at the relatively low level of 0.14 percent month-on-month (mom), the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) revealed on Tuesday.
BPS data released on Tuesday suggested that processed food prices increased by 0.24 percent mom for October, while raw food prices saw deflation of 0.21 percent mom. BPS chief Suhariyanto said adequate food stocks in October had kept the prices from skyrocketing.
In a year-on-year (yoy) comparison, October’s inflation rate, which stood at 3.31 percent yoy, was also the lowest since 2009, Suhariyanto said.
“From October 2009 to 2015, yoy inflation levels always stood above 4 percent,” he said.
With year-to-date (ytd) inflation from January to October standing at 2.11 percent, the BPS is optimistic inflation will remain under 4 percent by year-end.
BPS deputy head for distribution and service statistics Sasmito Hadi Wibowo, meanwhile, expects the government’s newly launched policy to set fuel prices in Papua and West Papua on par with those in Java, to also help cushion inflation in the two provinces, which are among the country’s underdeveloped regions. (hwa)
