A Heavy Lebaran for Ketupat Weavers: Scarce Buyers, Skyrocketing Palm Frond Prices
JAKARTA – The surge in palm frond prices ahead of Lebaran 2026 is being acutely felt by ketupat weavers throughout the capital.
Amid these challenging conditions, Rosida (45) continues to operate her stall at Pasar Rawa Badak Utara in Koja, North Jakarta, despite confronting declining customer numbers and rising production costs.
The woman, who has practised this trade for nearly four decades, remains steadfastly committed to selling during every Lebaran season, maintaining the business originally established by her parents.
“I’m always here every Lebaran. Every year I sell here, carrying on my parents’ work,” she explained when interviewed on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
On the other hand, she also faces substantial increases in the price of her primary raw material: janur, or young palm fronds, which are sourced from Malimping in Banten.
“The palm fronds from my supplier are IDR 100,000 per bundle. Each bundle contains 200 fronds,” she stated.
This price represents a significant jump compared with the previous year, which hovered around IDR 80,000 per bundle.
“The price has risen by IDR 20,000 per bundle,” Rosida said.
The increase in raw material costs has forced Rosida to adjust her selling prices, though her profit margins remain razor-thin. She sells raw palm fronds at IDR 10,000 per 10 leaves, whilst ready-made woven ketupat are priced at IDR 15,000 per 10 pieces.
According to her, the price increase stems not solely from raw material costs, but also from mounting distribution expenses.
“The vehicle fuel cost is more expensive than the palm fronds themselves because of fuel surcharges, especially with rising fuel prices. So I’m in a bind – I can’t sell at higher prices, and with the fronds drying out, sales drop further,” she explained.
“I’ve been weaving since I was seven years old. That’s why I can do it even half-asleep,” she joked.
During normal conditions, she manages to sell up to 30 bundles of palm fronds during the Lebaran season. Peak sales typically occur in the two days preceding Idul Fitri.