INDONESIAN TRADERS PREPARE EGGS TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN JAKARTA, 1998-07-08 (photo)

Indonesian traders prepare eggs July 8 to be distributed to customers in local markets in Indonesia's capital Jakarta. Prices of eggs, along with other basic commodities such as rice, sugar and wheat, have increased because of the fall of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Indonesia's food situation has worsened in recent months and it is likely the key August harvest of rice, the country's staple, will fall below target.Official estimation says close to half of the country's population of 200 million will fall below the poverty line by the end of 1998. EN/TAN/SB