Strengthening distribution from harvest centers to main markets must\nbe accelerated through cross-regional and cross-ministerial\ncoordination<\/p>\n
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is partnering with farmers,\ntraders, regional governments, and the Food Task Force to strengthen\noversight, smooth distribution, and maintain the price stability and\navailability of red cayenne peppers ahead of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.<\/p>\n
\u201cChili is a commodity that is highly sensitive to daily supply.\nTherefore, strengthening distribution from harvest centers to main\nmarkets must be accelerated through cross-regional and cross-ministerial\ncoordination,\u201d said Bapanas Deputy for Food Availability and\nStabilization I Gusti Ketut Astawa in Jakarta on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In response to the dynamics of red cayenne pepper prices and supply\nin several regions, particularly in Jakarta, Bapanas gathered chili\ncommodity stakeholders consisting of champion chili farmers from Java,\nWest Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and South Sulawesi. Additionally, chili\ntraders in the Jakarta area, the Directorate General of Horticulture at\nthe Ministry of Agriculture, the Jakarta Food Security Agency, and the\nNational Police Food Task Force participated through a Chili\nStabilization Coordination Meeting held online.<\/p>\n
\u201cChili stabilization requires orchestration from upstream to\ndownstream,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, production centers currently in harvest season must\nbe quickly connected with downstream markets, primarily in consumer\nareas such as Jakarta, to prevent significant price surges. Ketut\nstressed that the government has from the outset provided space for\nfarmers to earn fair profits. However, he cautioned that prices at both\nthe producer and consumer levels must be fair and reasonable. If not,\nstabilization interventions must be carried out to provide balance on\nboth the upstream and downstream sides.<\/p>\n
Based on the Food Price Panel as of February 14, 2026, the national\naverage price of red cayenne peppers at the producer level stands at\napproximately Rp 56,383 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the national average at\nthe consumer level is recorded at Rp 73,339 per kilogram. Inter-regional\nprice disparities are the focus of distribution interventions to prevent\nthe price gap from widening.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, we cannot simply wait until after Lunar New Year or a few\nweeks from now. Distribution measures must be carried out immediately,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
To that end, Ketut continued, Food Distribution Facilitation (FDP)\nfrom production centers in South Sulawesi, East Java, and West Java to\nthe Kramat Jati Central Market in Jakarta must be conducted to reduce\nlogistics costs and maintain price affordability. \u201cSo that we can ensure\nchili prices trend downward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the East Lombok Chili Farmer Champions, Subhan, supports\nthe government\u2019s measures to maintain chili affordability through FDP\nand inter-regional cooperation mechanisms. \u201cWe hope for Bapanas\u2019 support\nthrough this food distribution facilitation. This support is important\nto maintain supply and keep price movements more controlled,\u201d Subhan\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Suyono from the Indonesian Chili Farmers Association\n(APCI) noted that shopping activity has indeed increased in recent days,\ncoinciding with the Lunar New Year and fasting season. Nevertheless, he\npredicted that after the Lunar New Year period, red cayenne pepper\nprices will gradually decline. According to Suyono, several production\ncenters in East Java such as Kediri, Blitar, Mojokerto, and Banyuwangi\nwill soon enter the harvest period. However, rainfall in those areas\nremains quite high, impacting the picking process.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Guntur, a trader at Kramat Jati Central Market (PIKJ),\naffirmed his readiness to absorb chili supply from various regions,\nincluding South Sulawesi, to strengthen availability and help stabilize\nprices at the main market. He is also optimistic that chili prices will\nease in the coming days as supply from production centers increases.<\/p>\n
Previously, Bapanas Head and concurrent Minister of Agriculture Andi\nAmran Sulaiman affirmed that national food stocks are currently in a\nstrong position, and no party should exploit demand momentum for\none-sided interests. \u201cOur stocks are strong and in surplus condition\nheading into Ramadan. This condition must be reflected in fair and\nreasonable prices for the public. No one should be manipulating the\nsituation,\u201d Amran emphasized at the launch of the Simultaneous\nAffordable Food Movement (GPM) in Jakarta on Friday (February 13).<\/p>\n
Amran assured that the government will not tolerate practices that\nharm the public. If violations or attempts to exploit the situation to\nraise prices unreasonably are found, the Price Violation, Food Safety\nand Quality Enforcement Task Force will take firm action within its\nauthority. \u201cIncluding the revocation of permits, which will be enforced\ntogether with the National Police Food Task Force,\u201d Amran said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bapanas-partners-with-farmers-traders-and-task-force-to-maintain-chili-price-stability-1771203691", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }