Indonesia Confident Food Stocks Will Cover Religious Festivals

Text of report in English by influential Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post English-language website on 1 September

Jakarta, Monday 1 September: The government has guaranteed that there are enough food stocks to meet needs during this year’s religious festivities – Idul Fitri, Idul Adha and Christmas – and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“We previously doubted the availability of stock. But after we checked the market, we found that the stocks are enough,” Agriculture Minister Anton Apriantono said at the weekend, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Prices of basic commodities such as rice, eggs, beef and chickens increased in Indonesia’s main regions – Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi – prior to Ramadan, which started Monday.

The minister, however, said the government has collected information from regional administrations, met with food retailer associations and checked markets for stock in order to ensure the availability of basic necessities. Field inspection results showed that food stocks in the face of the religious holidays in 2009 were enough, he said.

Rice stocks reached 35,484.8 tons, exceeding the need of 31,799 tons; sugar 6,146.4 tons, surpassing the need of 4,842.3 tons; cooking oil 6,216.3 tons, well over the need of 3,990.6 tons and peanut 760,000 tons, slightly above the need for 754,100 tons. Chicken meat, beef and egg stocks were also enough.

Anton said the government was confident to guarantee enough food stock because the country had increased food production over the past several years.

Originally published by The Jakarta Post website, Jakarta, in English 1 Sep 08.

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