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Chili prices drop to Rp 6,000 after Idul Fitri
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A vendor sells bird’s eye chili at the Manonda wholesale market in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on April 21. (Antara/Basri Marzuki)
T
he price of bird's eye chili dropped to below Rp 6,000 (45 US cents) per kilogram after the Idul Fitri holiday, before which it was about Rp 25,000 per kilogram.
The decrease in price was caused by low demand at markets in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Java and other regions, while traders need to sell the commodity quickly before it rots, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said on Monday.
"The price of chili has fallen quickly. Traders have to sell the commodity or they will suffer losses because of its short lifespan," Enggartiasto said at the State Palace on Monday.
(Read also: Govt breaks up exploitative prices)
Chili has a lifespan of two to three days.
The ministry is trying to regulate the supply of chili, the price of which fluctuates wildly, said the minister.
In January, the price of chili, particularly bird’s eye chili, was more than Rp 130,000 per kilogram. "We hope this [low chili price] will only last a few days," he added. (bbn)
