During Ramadhan and the approaching Lebaran holiday season, the consumption of wheat flour significantly increases due to the high demand for flour as the basic ingredient in traditional snacks and pastries. The Assistant Manager of Sub-Regional Kaltimtara PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk Divisi Bogasari Flour Mills, Ahada Almayuda, stated that the demand for wheat flour in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) during Ramadhan and Lebaran could increase by 10 -15%. He compared the daily demand for wheat flour in Kaltim to be around 100 tons per day in the regions of Samarinda, Kubar, Kukar, and Kutim. However, during Ramadhan and approaching Eid Al-Fitr, the demand increases to 120 to 130 tons per day. Indonesia's leading brand of wheat flour sets the wholesale price of 25Kg wheat flour bags at IDR 220.000 per sack. This price is lower than the previous price of IDR 245.000 per sack. This price decrease is because the import supply of wheat, which is the main ingredient for wheat flour production, remains secure in Indonesia, especially from Australia and the United States (US).
Yuda clarified that the supply and demand issues related to wheat were already resolved since the second semester of 2022. Currently, there is a surplus of stock, which has helped to keep prices stable. Furthermore, the distribution of wheat flour to all areas in Kaltim is guaranteed to be safe and without any hindrances. The company has two primary warehousing stock points in Samarinda and Balikpapan which supported by 34 distributors and 130 agents covering the entire Kaltim-Kaltara region. The company is obligated to maintain safe and equitable distribution to fulfill the needs of the people for their daily food consumption.
