Minister Monitors Basic Commodity Prices At Beringharjo

Yogyakarta, May 27 (Antara) - Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan went to monitor basic commodity prices at Beringharjo traditional market here on Monday. The minister visited the largest traditional market in Yogyakarta to obtain first hand information about the supply of basic commodities in the run up to the fasting month and Lebaran festivity this year. Minister Gita Wirjawan and his entourage arrived at the market through the east gate at 9.30 am and went to the first floor to observe meat prices there. He said the monitoring of the prices of basic commodities was to anticipate fluctuation during the fasting month of July. "We will continue to intensively monitor the prices at traditional markets as we did at Kosambi traditional market in Bandung, West Java, before coming to Beringharjo," the minister said. He noted that during the monitor at Beringharjo market, he found out that beef price was was quite expensive or ranging from Rp85,000 to Rp90,000 per kg. "We will continue to control the prices from fluctuation and to maintain the supply of basic necessities," the trade minister said, asking the people to buy the basic necessities in reasonable way during the fasting month. "During the fasting month and Lebaran festivity, the public demand of basis necessities is usually higher, and by doing excessive purchases it will trigger price increases," he added.