Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The government will supply some 60,000 tons of shallots to the domestic market to stabilize prices which have been increasing of late, a minister said.
"We will have 60,000 tons of shallot supply. The first phase will arrive on April 5, 2013," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said here on Wednesday.
He said that the shallot supply which was expected to lower increasing prices would arrive in stages in the coming two to three months.
"We have to ensure that the supply would not arrive at the time when farmers are having grand harvest next July," the minister said.
The minister said he hoped the arrival of shallot stock would reduce increasing prices. But the price should not be lowered to a too low level so that farmers would enjoy a profitable price.
Up to March 27, 2013, the price of shallots per kg at Kramat Jati wholesales market here was recorded at Rp46,000 while in February the price was only about Rp16,000 per kg. (IGT)
