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Consumers stunned by rising food, energy prices
While headline inflation in Indonesia remains lower than in many other countries, food and fuel have increased more in price than most products, and consumers are feeling the pinch.
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Food for free: The Aksata Pangan Foundation distributes food to underprivileged communities in Medan, North Sumatra. (Courtesy of Aksata Pangan) (Courtesy of Aksata Pangan/Courtesy of Aksata Pangan)
H
ernu, a 22-year-old legal intern in the technology industry, is becoming increasingly frustrated by the rising price of staple foods. He says he lives modestly, eating bread for breakfast and simple rice dishes with the occasional sides for dinner.
He explained that in January the bread he usually buys cost Rp 10,000 (69 US cents) and the simple rice dishes Rp 18,000. But now, he spends Rp 3,500 more on his bread and Rp 5,000 more on the rice dishes.
“I still cannot fathom how the prices could increase this fast,” Hernu says.
Read also: Inflation rises to nearly five-year high
Supri, a 24-year-old consultant based in West Jakarta, is also feeling the pinch.
Before war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, he would typically spend around Rp 20,000 on a bowl of rice with chicken, or around Rp 50,000 for the occasional fancier restaurant dish for special events.
Now, Supri must fork out some Rp 5,000 more for his ordinary meals and an extra Rp 10,000 for a restaurant meal. He blames skyrocketing global commodity prices.
