Ramadhan and Idul Fitri Raise April 2023 Inflation to 0.33 Percent

Armfalcon.com, JAKARTA — The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that inflation in April 2023 increased to a level of 0.33 percent on a monthly basis. According to BPS data, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased from 114.36 in March to 114.74 in April 2023.

Head of BPS Margo Yuwono said inflation in April this year was higher than March which was only 0.18 percent. One of the factors driving the inflation rate is the moment of Ramadan and the celebration of Idul Fitri 1444 H.

“This year’s Eid al-Fitr falls on April 2023. Historically, the moment of this religious holiday has affected the increase in demand for goods and services as well as changes in prices at the consumer level,” explained Margo, Tuesday (2/5/2023).

However, inflation during Ramadan and Eid this year was relatively lower compared to the same period in 2022. One of the reasons was the relatively stable supply of horticultural commodities, supported by harvest activities throughout March-April 2023.

Another factor was the red chili and cayenne pepper deflation, which reduced the general inflation rate. In addition, the share of inflation in several food commodities which was relatively lower compared to the Eid season in previous years was also a factor.

Margo said that on an annual basis April 2023 inflation reached 4.33 percent, lower than March 2023 annual inflation which was recorded at 4.97 percent. However, this is higher than April 2022 annual inflation of 3.47 percent.

Furthermore, Margo explained, all expenditure groups experienced inflation except for the expenditure group for information, communication and financial services. This spending group experienced deflation this year.

The biggest contributor to inflation in April 2023 was the transportation group with inflation of 0.84 percent with a share of 0.11 percent. In more detail by commodity, the cause of April 2023 inflation was contributed by air transportation of 0.33 with a share of 0.06 percent.

Then followed by inter-city transportation inflation with a share of 0.03 percent. The rest, starting from gold jewelry, purebred chicken meat, rice and filter clove cigarettes each contributed to inflation with a share of 0.02 percent.