The minister said he did not know the cause of the price increase from around Rp 30,000 (US$2.25) per kilogram to above Rp 50,000, but he estimated that it was because of an absence of government control.

“There is no government regulation on garlic imports. Without government intervention, the price could rise any time,” Enggartiasto said on Monday after attending a meeting with garlic importers.

Enggartiasto said members of the Indonesian Garlic Entrepreneurs Association (APBI) expressed commitment to cooperating with the government.

The minister promised to issue a ministerial regulation on garlic imports within two days so that imported garlic could immediately be distributed to markets.

“With the new supply, garlic prices will be no higher than Rp 30,000 per kilogram,” said Enggartiasto, adding that next week 600 tons of imported garlic was expected to arrive from China.

According to Information Center for Strategic Food Prices (PIHPS) data, the price of garlic in Jakarta is Rp 68,750 per kilogram, in Yogyakarta Rp 63,500 and in West Papua Rp 58,750.

The minister said garlic importers and distributors were required to report the amount of their garlic stock to the ministry.

“We will seal warehouses and confiscate hoarded garlic and destroy it,” Enggartiasto explained.  (dra/bbn)

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