VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) projected a significant increase in imports of consumer goods ahead of the coming Ramadan holy month in May 2018. According to the Head of BPS, KecukSuhariyanto in his press conference in Jakarta, Monday, April 16, 2018, one of the indications of the increase is the hike in demand for imported dates.

“Imports of consumer goods in March was down, down 12.80 percent. During Ramadan it will rise 80 percent, seeing next month, import goods on special consumption of Ramadan will surely go up. I’ve already told you, this month imported dates have started to rise significantly. So, this consumption will rise along with the demand of certain commodities in the month of Ramadan,” said Kecuk Suhariyanto.

Kecuk Suhariyanto added thatimports of dates in March 2018 increased more than 86 percent worth17.8 million US Dollars (US) compared to February 2018. The majority of dates are imported from Egypt.Suhariyanto also said import of auxiliary raw material increases by about 2.62 percent. One of the commodities that experience a rather large increase is raw sugar and rubber products. However, he added that the import of rice by the government in recent months has decreased. This is due to the already controlled price of rice. Import on March 2018 totaled USD14.49 billion or increased 2.13 percent compared to February 2018. Cumulatively from January to March 2018, total imports amounted to USD43, 98 billion or an increase of 20.12 percent. (VOI/REZHA/trans-Rezha/DP)