SUGAR PRICE MIGHT REACH RP10.000 PER KG: MINISTER

Jakarta, Dec 30 (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Marie Elka Pangestu has predicted that the price of imported white crystal sugar would be at a range between Rp9.500 and Rp10,000 per kg beginning January 2010.

"The price of sugar has been showing an upward trend again in the past several weeks. With a price of US$700 per ton of sugar in the world market, the price at home would be between Rp9,500 and Rp10,000 per kg," the minister said here on Tuesday.

She said the price estimate was made after taking into account costs for import duty and transportation, and it was still within the present price range.

The minister said that her ministry and the appointed sugar importers were discussing a price equilibrium that could be made.

She said that the price of white crystal sugar in several provinces was still increasing, even in a certain region it had reached Rp15,000 per kg.

The minister said national sugar stock up to February would be enough, namely about 400,000-500,000 tons. "This is enough for more than two months. We have also issued a license for the importation of 500,000 tons of sugar to meet the domestic need up to May, 2010," she said.