Prices of Basic Necessities in Bandung Skyrocket, President Elect Expected to Overcome Economic Problems

The prices of a number of basic necessities in Bandung, such as cooking oil, sugar and shallots, have increased significantly.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

One of the red onion traders in Kosambi Market, Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday (23/4/2024). Red onions imported from Brebes, Central Java, have skyrocketed in price to Rp 70,000 per kilogram.

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — Prices of cooking oil, sugar and shallots in traditional markets in Bandung City, West Java, are still high after Eid . Traders hope that the elected president will focus on overcoming economic problems, including instability in prices of basic necessities.

From Kompas's monitoring on Tuesday (23/4/2024), there was an increase in the prices of cooking oil, sugar and shallots at Kosambi Market, Bandung. Kosambi Market is one of the markets that is used as a reference for local governments to monitor inflation which is influenced by prices of basic necessities.

Brian Rizal (26), a trader, said that the price of subsidized cooking oil has increased from Rp 14,000 per liter to Rp 17,000 per liter. Meanwhile, the price of non-subsidized cooking oil has increased from Rp 17,000 per liter to Rp 20,000 per liter.

In addition, the price of packaged sugar has increased from Rp 17,000 per kilogram to Rp 18,500 per kg. The price of bulk sugar, on the other hand, has risen from Rp 15,000 per kg to Rp 18,000 per kg.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

A resident is seen buying chilli peppers at Pasar Kosambi, Bandung City, West Java, on Tuesday (12/12/2023). On average, the price of three types of chilli at Pasar Kosambi reaches Rp 120,000 per kilogram.

According to Brian, the increase in the prices of cooking oil and sugar at the Kosambi Market has been happening before Eid al-Fitr. This condition is lamented by buyers, especially those who are in the culinary business.

"I hope the president-elect will focus on stabilizing prices of basic necessities. "I feel sorry for the traders and consumers," said Brian.

Also read: Rare Rice in Bandung Markets and Retailers

Imas Neni, one of the shallot traders in Kosambi Market, stated that the price of shallots has reached Rp 70,000 per kg. Before the increase, the normal price of shallots ranged from Rp 40,000 to Rp 45,000 per kg.

"The price of shallots continues to rise due to the limited supply from production centers in the Brebes region of Central Java. This problem has occurred repeatedly. Hopefully, the elected president can provide a program as a solution to this issue," said Imas.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

A grocery vendor in Pasar Kosambi, Bandung City, West Java can be seen on Tuesday (23/4/2024). Subsidized cooking oil is one of the essential items in Pasar Kosambi that has skyrocketed in price up to Rp 17,000 per liter.

Diana (37), one of the buyers at Kosambi Market, mentioned that the price increase has caused her family's expenses for buying daily necessities to be greater than her husband's monthly income. Therefore, Diana had to reduce the amount of basic necessities she purchased.

"This condition is very difficult for me and my family to consume daily. I am forced to buy only half a kilogram of onions because the price is very expensive," said a resident of Kebon Pisang Village, Bandung City.

Also read: Ahead of Ramadan, Prices of a Number of Basic Ingredients in Bandung Soar

I hope the president-elect focuses on stabilizing prices of basic necessities. Poor traders and consumers alike.

Head of Distribution, Trade, and Metrology Supervision Division at the Bandung City Department of Trade and Industry, Meiwan Kartiwa, said that the trigger for the price increase of several basic necessities such as shallots is due to farmers experiencing crop failure.

"The trigger for farmers' crop failure is due to weather conditions in February and March. It is still uncertain whether there will be a possibility of implementing a market operation to address the issue of price increases," he said.