By: Silva Putri
The government has prepared various strategic policies to maintain food price stability during Ramadan and Idulfitri 2025. In this effort, multiple ministries are collaborating to ensure that the prices of essential goods remain under control and do not burden the public. Concrete steps have been designed to prevent price surges, which often occur due to the increased demand during the holy month.
In line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, the relevant ministries are working to monitor food prices and ensure that they remain below the Highest Retail Price (HET). The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) play crucial roles in maintaining price stability through various market intervention measures. One of the strategies being implemented is large-scale market operations across Indonesia.
Fritz Edward Siregar, Deputy for Coordination of Information and Evaluation at the Presidential Communication Office, said the government is focused on lowering the prices of key food commodities, especially cooking oil and sugar. If prices surge, market operations will be conducted immediately to address the situation. Fritz emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the relevant ministries to collaborate in overseeing that prices stay below the HET.
The government has also instructed the Food Task Force (Satgas Pangan) of the National Police to tighten supervision over the distribution of essential goods. This oversight aims to prevent price speculation or hoarding practices that could disrupt market stability. With these firm measures, the government hopes to keep prices within reasonable limits and ensure that the public can access basic necessities without difficulty.
Head of the Food Task Force at the National Police, Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, emphasized that the supervision will cover all regions of Indonesia, including areas prone to price hikes such as Papua. Although there may be price increases in some areas, the government assures that these are within acceptable limits.
In addition to focusing on main staples like cooking oil and sugar, the government is also giving special attention to the agricultural sector. The availability of fertilizers and agricultural seeds is being controlled to ensure food production is not disrupted. Maintaining production stability is essential in balancing supply and demand, so prices do not experience uncontrolled surges.
Another effort being made by the government to curb prices is optimizing the absorption of domestic production. The role of Perum Bulog in absorbing rice from farmers is key in maintaining rice price stability. With increased rice production in the first quarter of 2025, the government has allocated special funds to ensure that prices remain stable at both the farmer and consumer levels. This policy aims to create a fair price balance where farmers still receive a fair profit without burdening consumers.
Full support for market operations is also a government priority. The Ministry of Trade ensures that the Cheap Food Movement (Gerakan Pangan Murah) runs effectively across all regions. Government interventions are not only focused on prices but also ensuring smooth and equitable distribution. By utilizing state-owned assets, this program can reach more people, including those in remote areas.
Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, added that market operations are a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensuring the public’s food needs during Ramadan. The government continues to work on stabilizing prices while responding to public concerns during the holy month and Idulfitri.
Furthermore, the government encourages the public to actively participate in monitoring food prices. People are urged to report if they find indications of speculative practices or hoarding of essential goods. With public involvement, the price control mechanism becomes more transparent and accountable. Strict supervision and quick responses to public reports are key to preventing unreasonable price hikes.
The government also ensures that food price control policies are not only reactive but also preventive. The strategies that have been prepared in advance allow for more planned and effective anticipatory measures to handle potential price fluctuations. Through inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation with various parties, the government is optimistic about maintaining food price stability during Ramadan and Idulfitri.
As Ramadan approaches, the National Food Agency (NFA) has confirmed that the national food stock is secure. Based on projections, Indonesia will experience a rice surplus of 9 million tons, while stocks of meat and chili are also sufficient to meet the demand during the fasting month. The government is committed to ensuring a balanced supply throughout Indonesia, not only in Java or urban areas but also in remote regions.
With all these measures in place, the government demonstrates its commitment to protecting the public from the impact of price surges. All of these efforts are designed to allow the public to observe fasting peacefully without worrying about access to essential food supplies. With strong synergy between the government, state-owned enterprises, law enforcement agencies, and active public participation, food price stability is expected to be maintained throughout Ramadan and Idulfitri celebrations.
*) Economic Observer
