Jakarta.  President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) are overseeing food markets in response to the increasing staple food prices in recent weeks.

The President visited Kawat Market, Tanjungbalai City, North Sumatra Province, on Thursday. During his visit, Jokowi reviewed the prices and stock of several staple foods in the market.

One of the staple foods that caught Jokowi's attention was rice.  Jokowi said the price of rice in Tanjungbalai City, North Sumatra Province, is quite stable and affordable.

"The rice stock from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) is available, priced at Rp 57,000 ($3.65)  for 5 kilograms, while medium-quality local rice is still sold at Rp 12,800 per kilogram. This shows good price stability compared to other provinces," said Jokowi as quoted in the official statement from the Presidential Press Office.

However, Jokowi noted that the price of chilies is still increasing. 

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported a 0.37 percent monthly inflation in February. Year-on-year inflation stands at 2.75 percent, and calendar-year inflation is at 0.41 percent, primarily driven by a notable increase in food prices, particularly rice and red chili.

Industry players attribute the staple food price hike to weather conditions such as the El Nino climate phenomenon and reduced rice production due to fertilizer shortages. However, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) suspects collusion or cartel practices among industry players in the distribution chain may be behind the surge in prices.

Meanwhile, Minister Zulhas conducted a price and supply check of food commodities at Kramat Jati Market, East Jakarta, on Friday. During the visit, one of the vendors informed the minister that the price of red chilies had increased by around Rp 20,000 ($1.3) per kilogram.

"The price of chilies is now Rp 100,000 per kilogram, whereas yesterday it was still Rp 70,000 to Rp 80,000," said one of the vendors to the minister.

The vendor added that the price of bird's eye chilies had also increased to Rp 70,000 per kilogram, whereas previously it was Rp 60,000 per kilogram.

At the same location, Zulhas also checked the price of cooking oil, which was found to be at Rp 14,000 per liter, in line with the highest retail price.

Furthermore, Zulhas also inspected the price of rice.  Local rice was observed to be priced at Rp 16,000 per kilogram, exceeding the average price of approximately Rp 14,000. Meanwhile, Bulog-imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam was priced at Rp 10,900 per kilogram.