Menteri Perdagangan (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan has issued permits to import 300,000 tons of garlic to ensure its availability and meet the needs of the people. This decision was made during the Alertness Rally for Food Supply and Prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2024, organized by the National Food Agency (Bapanas) at the Bulog Warehouse in Jakarta on Monday. Zulkifli Hasan, also known as Zulhas, stated that the import permit of 300,000 tons exceeds the country's demand, which is only 600 tons. He attributed the current high garlic prices in the market to the increased demand from the public. Despite not specifying the importing countries, Zulhas emphasized the urgency of the situation and left the location promptly.
During his address at the Alertness Rally, Zulhas expressed gratitude for the decreasing food prices, particularly in Java and Sumatra, as Eid al-Fitr approaches. He mentioned that rice prices in various markets in Java and Sumatra have decreased by an average of IDR 1,000 to IDR 3,000 per kilogram, nearly reaching the government's set maximum retail price (HET). Zulhas attributed the decline in rice prices to the ongoing harvest season, with the Ministry of Agriculture reporting a harvest volume of 3.8 million tons in this month, exceeding the national monthly demand of 2.5 million tons. Additionally, Zulhas noted a decrease in chicken meat prices, which currently average around IDR 40,000 per kilogram, and egg prices, which have reached IDR 28,000 to IDR 27,000 per kilogram. He commended the efforts of Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi for efficiently managing the distribution of the Strategic Food Stock (SPHP), despite the challenges involved in handling 250,000 tons. Zulhas also appreciated the work of the Police Food Task Force (Satgas Pangan Polri) in ensuring the smooth distribution of food supplies and preventing violations such as hoarding.
