Banyumas Trade and SME Department Partners with Farmers to Curb Red Chilli Price Spike

Purwokerto - The Banyumas District Trade, Cooperatives and SME Department (DPKUKM), Central Java, is partnering with local farmers to curb red chilli price inflation, ensuring stable supplies and maintaining food availability for the public.

“There has been a price reduction over the past two days, although it remains high compared with the Reference Price (HAP) set at a maximum of IDR 57,000 per kilogramme. Currently prices stand at around IDR 90,000-95,000 per kilogramme, whereas previously they exceeded IDR 100,000,” said Gatot Eko Purwadi, Head of DPKUKM Banyumas District, in Purwokerto on Wednesday.

According to him, a major factor influencing high chilli prices is unpredictable weather conditions, which prevent farmers from harvesting in large quantities, despite overall production levels being adequate.

“The information we received indicates that harvest yields are actually sufficient, but farmers cannot harvest in large volumes due to weather impacts,” he explained.

In response, DPKUKM is cooperating with the Banyumas Agricultural Department to monitor stocks from local farmers. Available harvests will be channelled into the market through wholesale traders to maintain supply levels and suppress price volatility.

“We monitor farmers who have begun harvesting so that produce can enter the market and serve as a reserve if demand increases,” he said.

In addition to securing local supplies, the department is also opening the possibility of joint intervention with the provincial government should red chilli prices spike again. This measure forms part of efforts to control inflation and maintain food price stability in Banyumas, whilst providing protection for both consumers and farmers.

“With this strategy, we hope red chilli prices can stabilise further, supplies remain secure and Banyumas residents can obtain their food needs at reasonable prices,” he said.

Aside from red chillies, other commodities such as chicken eggs have also experienced a slight increase of approximately IDR 500 per kilogramme from the HAP of IDR 30,000 per kilogramme. Nevertheless, he considered the chicken egg price increase reasonable and not significant.

Currently, the most important priority is maintaining supply availability to ensure the public remains served, particularly for essential commodities. “What we must secure is the supply. If prices are high but goods are unavailable, that becomes problematic,” he said.

Based on coordination with distributors, supplies of eggs, flour and cooking oil remain relatively secure.