Bekasi Market Traders Urge Government to Stabilise Basic Commodity Prices

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com — A number of traders at Pasar Baru Bekasi, in Bekasi Timur District, Bekasi City, are calling on the government to stabilise staple food prices. They asked the government to consider the sustainability of traditional markets. ‘Hopefully the government can look after ordinary people. Prices can come down to how they were before,’ said Hasanudin (45) when Kompas.com visited his stall on Friday (22 May 2026). He said the price of red Bird’s eye chilis now reaches Rp 85,000 per kilogram, while curly chilies are sold at Rp 50,000 per kilogram. ‘Usually daily turnover can be Rp 3 million, now it’s half gone. Goods also if not sold become wilted,’ he added. ‘Now people shop more online. They want instant results, so fewer people come to the market,’ he said. In his view, market conditions are even quieter than during the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘Compared to the Covid-19 era, there were more shoppers then. Now it’s quieter. Sometimes I can’t break even selling,’ Hasanudin said. On the other hand, the rise in staple prices is putting more pressure on traders. Hasanudin noted that almost all vegetable commodities have increased in price. ‘The increases are in chilies, tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables. Almost everything has risen,’ he said. In addition, Afrida (55), a seller of chilies and onions, said the slack market is due to people now preferring online shopping rather than visiting traditional markets. ‘Now people’s purchasing power is weak, it has diminished. The market is empty, even in the early morning it’s quiet. People go to the market only when needed,’ she said.